Name or nickname :  Ilona Detroyat (INSTAGRAM PROFILE)

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Please describe your experience. How did it begin ? What were the consequences for you ? :

My experience with bullying began very early, in elementary school. After repeating a grade, I was the target of constant teasing. I was called "ugly" and "stupid". I changed schools, thinking things would get better, but the bullying continued. In middle school, it became even worse. I was in the same class as my cousin, and with her friend, they turned the whole class against me. They even managed to make people believe that I was the bully, when I was the one suffering in silence. Because of this, I was falsely accused and unfairly considered a problem student. I suffered daily humiliation: I was pushed to the ground, my things were dirty, and in art class, I was forced to clean up for others while everyone laughed at me. This period deeply hurt me. The consequences were severe: loss of self-confidence, anxiety, loneliness. But despite all this, I decided to get back up. Today, I'm taking a stand against bullying, to show that it's possible to turn pain into strength and that no one deserves to be treated the way I was.

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How has this time affected your emotional well-being, relationships, or school/work ? :

This period affected me enormously emotionally. I isolated myself a lot, I hardly spoke anymore, even at home. I had lost confidence in myself and I felt like I didn't belong anywhere anymore. At school, I was constantly stressed, which inevitably had an impact on my academic performance. I had trouble concentrating, I felt mentally exhausted. This suffering also harmed my relationships with others. I no longer dared to trust, for fear of being betrayed or rejected again.

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Did you seek help ? If so, where did you find it and did it help ? :

Yes, I sought help, but it wasn't easy. At the time, few people really took me seriously. I often felt alone in what I was going through. I talked to adults, but the answers were often minimized or ignored. I was told that "it was a child's story" or that "I had to toughen up". Over time, I found strength within myself, but also with a few kind people who believed in me. It is thanks to my later entourage, positive encounters, and my personal commitments that I was able to rebuild myself. Today, what I experienced pushes me to reach out to those who are going through this kind of situation, so that they never feel as alone as I did.

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If you could give one piece of advice to another victim or someone who has witnessed harassment, what would it be ? :

If I could give advice to someone who is being bullied, I would say : you are not alone, even if you feel like no one understands you. Speak up, even if it is difficult. Keep in mind that what you are going through is not your fault and that you deserve respect like everyone else. Your suffering is real, it matters. And to someone who is witnessing bullying, I would say : don't stay silent. Even a small gesture, a word, or telling an adult can change everything for the person being bullied. Silence hurts as much as actions. Dare to act.