What is bullying Bullying per IC 20 33

What is bullying?

"Bullying (per IC 20 -33 -8 -. 2) means overt, unwanted, repeated acts or gestures, including verbal or written communications or images transmitted in any manner (including digitally or electronically), physical acts committed, aggression, or any other behaviors, that are committed by a student or group of students against another student with the intent to harass, ridicule, humiliate, intimidate, or harm the other targeted student and create for the targeted student an objectively hostile school environment. ”

Bullying Fact or Myth

Nothing can be done at school to reduce bullying

School initiatives to prevent and stop bullying have reduced bullying by 15 to 50%. The entire school community of teachers, staff, parents, students and community members should be involved in trying to stop bullying. Myth

Spreading rumors is a form of bullying

• Spreading rumors, name calling, excluding others and embarrassing them are all forms of social bullying that can cause serious and lasting harm Fact

Bullying often resolves itself when you ignore it

• Bullying can happen again and again. Ignoring the bullying teaches students who bully that they can bully others without consequences. Adults and other students need to stand up for children who are bullied, and to ensure they are protected and safe. Myth

Bullying usually occurs when there are no other students around

• Students see about four out of every five bullying incidents at school. In fact, when they witness bullying, they give the student who is bullying positive attention or even join in about three-quarters of the time. Myth

Teachers often intervene to stop bullying

• Adults often do not witness bullying, therefore it is up to the students to let a teacher or an adult know it is happening. Myth

Reporting bullying will make the situation worse

• Research shows that children who report bullying to an adult are less likely to experience bullying in the future. Myth

Only Boys Bully

People think that physical bullying by boys is the most common form of bullying. However, verbal, social and physical bullying happens among both boys and girls. Myth

There is just one type of bullying

There are several types of bullying including: • Physical Bullying • Verbal Bullying • Relational Bullying • Reactive Bullying • Cyberbullying Myth

Physical Bullying • Physical bullies use force and body strength to overpower their victims. • Physical bullying can include kicking, hitting, punching, or other physical attacks. • This type of bullying is easier to observe than others.

Verbal Bullying • Verbal bullies intimidate and harm their victims using words. • Verbal bullying includes the use of insults and teasing and may include making fun of a peer’s lack of physical capabilities, appearance, etc. • This type of bullying may go unnoticed and unreported for long periods of time.

Relational Bullying • • • Relational bullies work to damage a victim’s social status and relationships. Relational bullying is common among girls, especially teen girls. Bullies who practice relational bullying often do it to increase their own social standing or to control others. This type of bullying may go on for some time before an adult notices. This is sometimes referred to as “Mean Girls. ”

Reactive Bullying • Reactive bullies coax others into harming them. It is often unclear who the true bully is. • A reactive bully incessantly taunts a peer until the peer snaps and reacts with physical or verbal aggression. • Reactive bullying may be the most difficult type of bullying to identify. This is because the reactive bullies also tend to be victims of bullying as well.

• Cyberbullying • • Cyberbullies use electronic forums, such as email, cell phones, and social networking sites, to harass their victims. Cyberbullying allows the bully to remain anonymous. It is easier to bully in cyberspace than it is to bully face to face. Over 25% of adolescents and teens have been bullied repeatedly through their cell phones or the Internet.

What can our school do to take a stand against bullying?