Bullying Prevention Initiative Faculty Training Bullying Bullying is
Bullying Prevention Initiative Faculty Training
Bullying “Bullying is when someone repeatedly and on purpose says or does mean or hurtful things to another person who has a hard time defending himself or herself. ”
Three Key Components of Bullying Behavior 1. 2. 3. Involves an aggressive behavior Typically involves a pattern of behavior repeated over time Involves an imbalance of power or strength
Types of Bullying Hitting, kicking, shoving, spitting Taunting, namecalling, using degrading comments Direct Bullying Threatening or obscene gestures Getting another person to bully someone Spreading rumors Causing another person to be socially isolated Cyber bullying Indirect Bullying
Why is it important to address bullying in schools? 1. 2. 3. 4. For students and their futures For a healthy school climate For the larger community For the purposes of risk management for schools
Impact of Bullying of Youth Children who bully are more likely to: • get into frequent fights • be injured in a fight • steal or vandalize property • drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes • be truant or drop out of school • report poor academic achievement Children who are bullied are more likely to experience: lower self-esteem depression and anxiety absenteeism and illness lowered school achievement thoughts of suicide
Effects of Bullying on the School Bullying creates a climate of fear and disrespect. Bullying interferes with student learning. Students may feel insecure and not like school as well. Students may perceive a lack of control or caring.
Effects of Bullying on Bystanders may feel: • • Afraid Powerless to change the situation Guilty for not acting A diminished empathy for victims over time
Build a Safe Environment to Prevent Bullying A safe and supportive school climate can help prevent bullying. The following are best practices in bullying prevention. Develop a school policy that includes rules and consequences for bullying behavior. Establish a culture of inclusion and respect that welcomes all students. Reward students when they show thoughtfulness and respect for peers, adults, and the school. Monitor bullying “hot spots” in and around the building. Students may be at higher risk of bullying in settings where there is little or no adult monitoring or supervision, such as bathrooms, playgrounds, and the cafeteria. Train school staff to prevent bullying and to respond to bullying situations. Set a tone of respect in the classroom. This means managing student behavior in the classroom well. Well-managed classrooms are the least likely to have bullying. Provide education about bullying in class lessons. Conduct class meetings to build a caring community.
Responding to Bullying Do: • Intervene immediately. It is ok to get another adult to help. • Separate the kids involved. • Make sure everyone is safe. • Meet any immediate medical or mental health needs. • Stay calm. Reassure the kids involved, including bystanders. • Model respectful behavior when you intervene.
Responding to Bullying Avoid these common mistakes: Don’t ignore it. Don’t think kids can work it out without adult help. Don’t immediately try to sort out the facts. Don’t force other kids to say publicly what they saw. Don’t question the children involved in front of other kids. Don’t talk to the kids involved together, only separately. Don’t make the kids involved apologize or patch up relations on the spot.
Responding to Bullying Get police help or medical attention immediately if: A weapon is involved. There are threats of serious physical injury. There are threats of hate-motivated violence, such as racism or homophobia. There is serious bodily harm. There is sexual abuse. Anyone is accused of an illegal act, such as robbery or extortion—using force to get money, property, or services.
Next Steps Get the Facts Keep all the involved children separate. Get the story from several sources, both adults and kids. Listen without blaming. Don’t call the act “bullying” while you are trying to understand what happened. It may be difficult to get the whole story, especially if multiple students are involved or the bullying involves social bullying or cyber bullying. Collect all available information.
Determine if it's Bullying Review the definition of bullying. What is the history between the kids involved? Have there been past conflicts? Is there a power imbalance? Remember that a power imbalance is not limited to physical strength. It is sometimes not easily recognized. If the targeted child feels like there is a power imbalance, there probably is. Has this happened before? Is the child worried it will happen again? Have the kids dated? There are special responses for teen dating violence. Are any of the kids involved with a gang? Gang violence has different interventions. Remember that it may not matter “who started it. ” Some kids who are bullied may be seen as annoying or provoking, but this does not excuse the bullying behavior.
Support the Kids Involved All kids involved in bullying—whether they are bullied, bully others, or see bullying—can be affected. It is important to support all kids involved to make sure the bullying doesn’t continue and effects can be minimized. Support Kids Who are Bullied Address Bullying Behavior Support Bystanders Who Witness Bullying
Additional Information School Guide BULLYING PREVENTION Responding to Bullying A Guide for School Personnel Newsletters Bullying Resource and Information Websites (provided)
- Slides: 16
