Bullying in Schools How can bullying be defined

Bullying in Schools How can bullying be defined? - treating others “abusively by means of force or coercion” and “in an over-bearing or intimidating manner” What is a bully? - a “person who is habitually cruel or overbearing, especially to smaller or weaker people”

What forms can bullying take place in? - Through: Coercion, Threats, Intimidation, Abuse, Social Isolation, Humiliation, and less direct forms (according to Kate Anton @ the YMCA Crisis Center in Enid, Oklahoma) Bullying can be: *Physical *Verbal *Indirect *Cyberbullying

Types of Bullying and Percentages accounted for *Physical- any physical contact that would hurt or injure a person - accounts for approx. 30. 5% of bullying *Verbal- name calling or making offensive remarks -accounts for approx. 46. 5% of bullying *Indirect- spreading of rumors -accounts for approx. 18. 5% of bullying *Cyberbullying- occurs through the internet, cell phones, or social media -accounts for approx. 4% of bullying *****Females are more likely to use verbal/social methods for bullying while males are more apt to use physical methods of bullying*****

Different Student Roles in Bullying! • Non-participants- tend to avoid the situation • Bully Aides- stand & actively encourage the situation • Bully Supporters- stand & laugh at the situation and provide an audience • Bullies- commit act of “bullying”/ show no empathy for victims and feel the need to dominate

Different Student Roles Cont. • Defenders- actively intervene and console victim(s) *typically more females are defenders over males* • Witnesses- “silent victims”/ are aware of bullying but try to avoid unless questioned • Victims- the person being bullied 2 types: chronic- always targeted acute- targeted for a specific reason

Where Bullying can Occur • According to the National Center for Educational Studies, bullying is most common to occur in: classrooms, halls, stairways and outside on playgrounds! -School personnel, in addition to teachers, are often present in these places (hopefully helping reduce the amount of bullying events)

Who is affected by Bullying? • EVERYONE is affected by bullying!!! - when bullying occurs, even those who are not actually included in the event can feel less safe! -Lerman reported that an est. 160, 000 students, on any school day, stay home in fear of being bullied! • According to the NCES: - 1/3(32%) of middle & high school students are physically bullied - Over 1/2(59%) are verbally bullied -Bullying increases in elementary school, peaks in middle, and decreases in high school!

Signs of Bullying • Government research has found certain factors to take in consideration for who is likely to be bullied: - Race, Color, National Origin, Sex, Disability • Look for signs that may hint to a person being bullied: - sudden shyness/retreats from activities, bruising, sudden emotional increase (ex: crying), head drooping, sudden lack of confidence, wetting of pants (severe cases due to fear when in contact w/ bully) • Look for signs that may hint to who the bully is: -increase in demand/attention, increase in anger, sudden excluding of someone from activities, increase in disobedience, increase in physical altercations

Preventing Bullying (Teacher’s Guide) • Adult Supervision is needed as much as possible -in hallways between classes, cafeteria, bus/car duty, outside perimeters, etc. • Make sure to report any suspected incident to the school principal • Possible parent – teacher conference with parent(s) of the bully and the parent(s) of the victim • Encourage students in working together, being respectful, being considerate, and being caring • Set Rules, Enforce Rules, Have Consequences!!!!

Preventing Bullying (Student Involvement) Why involve students? - Who better to help solve a problem/better a situation than those who have experienced bullying - Bullying can sometimes be subtle and unrecognized by adults whereas students notice bullying right away • Allow students to be involved in anti-bullying campaigns/programs • Make students aware and encourage student’s to inform adults (teachers, principal, parents) if they know/think bullying is taken place • Ensure confidentiality and reassure that all reports will be kept anonymous *Students tend to care what peers will think and fear being bullied more or bullying happening to them if they “tattle-tale” *