Stopping Bullying in Its Tracks: How to Handle Bullying in Today’s Schools Victoria Fields Olweus Bullying Prevention Program Trainer Kentucky Department of Education

2 ©2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U.S. The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program First systematic research on bullying conducted in early 1970s. OBPP part of Norway’s national campaign against bullying in early 1980s. The most-researched and best-known bullying prevention program available today. Dan Olweus

Facts & Myths 3 ©2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U.S. How Much Do YOU Know About Bullying? Relevant Data from Luxenberg, Limber, & Olweus (2014)

This Presentation Will... Provide a definition of bullying Provide an overview of the issue of bullying Provide a brief overview of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program Identify the resources available through KDE and the Olweus program to help you implement the program 4 ©2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U.S.

What is the definition of bullying? Turn to someone next to you and discuss what you think is the definition of bullying 5 ©2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U.S.

6 “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.” OBPP Teacher Guide, p. xii Olweus Definition of Bullying:

Federally Recognized Definition 7 ©2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U.S. “Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time.” - stopbullying.gov

Direct Bullying 8 ©2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U.S. Hitting, kicking, shoving, spitting Taunting, name-calling, using degrading comments Threatening or obscene gestures

Indirect Bullying Getting another person to bully someone Spreading rumors Causing another person to be socially isolated Cyberbullying 9 ©2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U.S.

Why address bullying? 10 ©2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U.S. For students and their futures (mental & physical health) For a healthy school climate (academic achievement) For the larger community Risk management for schools It’s a wise investment It’s the law

Effects of Being Bullied 11 ©2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U.S. Lower self-esteem Depression & anxiety Absenteeism & lowered school achievement Thoughts of suicide Illness

Children who bully are more likely to: -Get into frequent fights- Be truant, drop out of school - Be injured in a fight- Drink alcohol, smoke -Steal, vandalize property- Perceive a negative climate at school -Carry a weapon-Report poorer academic achievement Bullying may be part of a conduct-disordered behavior pattern. Olweus study: Male youth who bullied others in middle school were 4 times as likely to have 3 or more convictions by age ©2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U.S. Concerns about Children Who Bully

Effects of Bullying on School Climate Creates a climate of fear and disrespect Interferes with student learning Students may feel insecure and not like school as well Students may perceive a lack of control/caring from adults 13 ©2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U.S.

Facts & Myths 14 ©2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U.S. How Much Do YOU Know About Bullying? Relevant Data from Luxenberg, Limber, & Olweus (2014)

1. True or False 15 ©2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U.S. Studies suggest that fewer than 10% of children are involved in bullying problems in elementary, middle, or high school.False

Percentage of Students Bullied 2-3 times/month or more 16 ©2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U.S. 18% of students were directly involved in bullying: – 15% had been bullied – 5% had bullied others (Luxenberg et al., 2014)

17 ©2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U.S True or False Students are more likely to be bullied in high school than in elementary or middle school.False

Girls’ and Boys’ Experiences with Being Bullied 18 ©2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U.S times/month or more (Luxenberg et al., 2014)

Kentucky’s Bullying/Harassment Results Kentucky Safe Schools Annual Statistical Report

3. True or False 20 ©2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U.S. The vast majority of students who are bullied tell a teacher or other member of the school staff.False

Do Students Report Being Bullied? To Whom? 21 ©2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U.S. 2–3 times/ month or more 3-5 th Grade (Luxenberg et al., 2014) 6-8 th Grade 9-12 th Grade

4. True or False 22 ©2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U.S. Bullying is just as likely on the way to and from school as during school hours.False

23 ©2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U.S. Where Are Students Bullied? 1–2 times or more* *Students could select more than one location. (Luxenberg et al., 2014)

5. True or False 24 ©2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U.S. Most students who observe bullying don’t think they should get involved.False

Empathy For Bullied Students 25 ©2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U.S. Vast majority feel sorry for the bullied students More girls than boys feel sorry for the bullied students More younger than older students feel sorry for the bullied students (Luxenberg et al., 2014)

Watching…and Joining In Bullying 26 ©2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U.S. Onlookers: “just watch” Followers: Could join in (Luxenberg et al., 2014) Grade level

Taking Action To Stop Bullying 27 ©2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U.S. Students who try to help a bullied student Decreases in helping with age – Biggest changes between elementary and middle school Girls are somewhat more likely to say they will help (Luxenberg et al., 2014)

28 ©2016 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U.S. Misdirections in Bullying Prevention and Intervention Simple, short-term solutions “Program du jour approaches” Group treatment for children who bully Anger management or self-esteem enhancement for children who bully Zero tolerance policies for bullying Selecting inappropriate supplemental materials Mediation/conflict resolution to resolve bullying issues

What can you do to prevent and deal with bullying? Stop bullying when you see it! Create a plan for the student who is being bullied Use our website The best prevention method is to take a whole-school approach – The best program out there is the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program – There are other programs out there, but be sure to use one that is evidence- based and research-based 29 ©2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U.S.

OBPP is ©2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U.S. a systems change program designed for all students (K-12) preventive and responsive focused on changing norms and restructuring the school setting research-based

OBPP is 31 ©2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U.S. curriculum (a set of lessons to teach) conflict resolution or peer mediation classroom management technique anger management program suicide prevention program short term effort (1 or 2 years) NOT...

What Roles Do Students Play In Bullying Situations? B C D H G E F A Start the bullying and take an active part Take an active part, but do not start the bullying Support the bullying, but do not take an active part Like the bullying, but do not display open support Dislike the bullying and think they ought to help, but don’t do it Dislike the bullying, help or try to help the bullied student Student Who Is Bullied Students Who Bully Followers Supporters Passive Supporters Disengaged Onlookers Possible Defenders TG, p ©2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U.S. Watch what happens, don’t take a stand

Program Components 33 ©2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U.S.

Overview of School-Level Components 34 ©2016 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U.S Establish a Bullying Prevention Coordinating Committee (BPCC) 2. Conduct committee and staff trainings 3. Administer the Olweus Bullying Questionnaire (OBQ) 4. Hold staff discussion groups 5. Introduce the school rules about bullying 6. Review and refine the school’s supervisory system 7. Hold a school kick-off event to launch the program 8. Involve parents

35 ©2016 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U.S. about bullying We will not bully others. We will try to help students who are bullied. We will try to include students who are left out. If we know that somebody is being bullied, we will tell an adult at school and an adult at home.

Classroom-Level Components 36 ©2016 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U.S Post and enforce schoolwide rules against bullying 2. Hold regular class meetings 3. Hold meetings with students’ parents

Individual-Level Components 37 ©2016 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U.S. 1.Supervise students’ activities 2.Ensure that all staff intervene on-the-spot when bullying occurs 3.Hold meetings with students involved in bullying 4.Hold meetings with parents of involved students 5.Develop individual intervention plans for involved students

Community-Level Components 38 ©2016 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U.S. 1.Involve community members on the BPCC 2. Develop partnerships with community members to support your program 3. Help spread anti-bullying messages and principles of best practice throughout the community

Required OBPP Materials 39 ©2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U.S. School-wide Guide OBPP Bullying Questionnaire Teacher Guide

40 ©2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U.S. Class Meetings & Individual Interventions Video Training Class Meetings that Matter Supplemental Resources Cyber Bullying

For more information about OBPP Training Contact your KDE trainers Sherri Clusky (502) ext Victoria Fields (502) ext ©2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U.S.