“We initiated him because it was a high school tradition that has been going on at our school for years. It’s not too bad – after all, what doesn’t kill, makes you stronger, right?”

Welcome to Respectme.co.za – this site is about one teenager’s fight to stop bullying and victimisation prevalent in our schools today. Kelly Gibson, a victim of bullying herself, has come through her ordeal stronger and now offers help and support to other victims. Kelly says, “little did the bullies know, but I became stronger through this. Respect Me is a testimony to how one can turn one’s negative experiences in life, into positive ones!” Read what happened to Kelly in the Share your story section of this website. It is Kelly’s desire that if just one child can be helped, this website will have achieved success. To book Kelly to speak at your school, church group or corporate event, contact her via the Contact Us link on this site.

Respect Me welcomes Pene Kimber, the mother who single-handedly took on Parktown Boys High School regarding the alleged initiation incident which her son was subjected to in February 2009, highlighting the initiation traditions which have prevailed for many years. Many have accused Pene of sensationalism and have even gone as far as to say that she has a personal vendetta against the school. Pene says, “I don’t have a vendetta against Parktown Boys High School or any other school for that matter – my fight is to expose and eradicate the atrocities taking place in our South African schools today. People must realise that on the 2nd February 2009 it was my son, tomorrow it could be yours! Pene has joined forces with Respect Me and offers talks, counselling and assistance to any other parents who find themselves in the same situation. Read Pene’s story, as published in the Star, under the Share your stories section and remember...Together we CAN make a difference!

Information on this site is written just for you! It covers a multitude of issues including teen suicide, self injury, bullying, initiation as well as alcohol and substance abuse. The content will be regularly updated to ensure that you are as well informed as possible. Should you require, we can also put you in touch with the right people to talk to – a trained counsellor, church leader, social worker, psychologist or psychiatrist.

In my experience, bullying doesn’t affect the victim only. To this end, Respect Me offers a support group for the victims and their families.

What better than having someone your own age, someone who knows what challenges our youth face on a daily basis, speak to you? Because I am a survivor of bullying, let me show you how I managed to overcome my experiences and become a better person for it.

Enquire about our specialist programs:
- Hear Kelly speak out on bullying and victimisation as well as a variety of teen issues including peer pressure and
  self esteem.
- Hear two mothers of victims share their experiences of what a mother goes through when their child
  is a victim of bullying or initiation.

Enquire about our specialist programs by emailing info@respectme.co.za

Services
Respect Me offers talks, seminars and workshops to help teenagers survive the pressures of life.

Contact Details
Contact Kelly Gibson on info@respectme.co.za for any further information.