Brittany B. Melanie C. Cazzie G. Melissa H. BULLYING Brittany B. Melanie C. Cazzie G. Melissa H.

What is Bullying? Bullying is a form of aggressive behavior manifested by the use of force or coercion to affect others, particularly when the behavior is habitual and involves an imbalance of power. It can include verbal harassment, physical assault or coercion and may be directed persistently towards particular victims, perhaps on grounds of race, religion, gender, sexuality, or ability. The "imbalance of power" may be social power and/or physical power. The victim of bullying is sometimes referred to as a "target."

WHAT IS BULLYING? Intentional, aggressive behavior Imbalance of power Repeated over time Direct attacks - hitting, threatening or intimidating, maliciously teasing and taunting, name-calling, making sexual remarks, stealing or damaging belongings. Subtle/Indirect attacks - spreading rumors or encouraging others to reject or exclude someone Cyber harassment

BOYS vs. GIRLS Boys are more likely to bully others and to be the targets of bullies. Boys are more likely to report being hit, slapped, or pushed. Girls use indirect aggression and are targets for rumors and sexual comments

CYBERBULLYING Cyberbullying is when a child/preteen/teen is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, or embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another child/preteen/teen via internet, interactive and digital technologies or mobile phones.

Why Cyberbully? Often cyberbullying is motivated by anger, revenge or frustration. Sometimes done for entertainment (bored, too much time on their hands, too many tech toys available) For laughs or to get a reaction Accidental (wrong recipient)

PREVALENCE OF BULLYING in Minnesota Karen Dahl coordinates the bully prevention program at the Anoka-Hennepin school district The district surveyed 6,477 students in grades 4, 6, 8 10 in Oct. 2004 20% of the students say they have been bullied no differences in one grade to the next until 10th grade which had the highest number of bullied students - 22%. Boys and girls had reported in same numbers. About 80% of students are not victims and are not bullies but are the bystanders that see it happen.

PREVALENCE OF BULLYING in the U.S. Almost 30%of teens in U.S. (or over 5.7 million) are est. to be involved in school bullying either as a bully, target of bullying or both. Recent national survey grades 6 to 10 13% reported bullying others 11% reported being a target 6% said they were bullied and they were targets of bullies. Bullies are 4 times more likely than non-bullies to be convicted of crimes by age 24 with 60% of bullies having at least 1 criminal conviction.

Effects of Bullying May suffer physically and emotionally Grades will likely show it Low self-esteem and depression can last into adulthood Along with adulthood- can interfere with personal and professional lives Bullies affected also – difficulty forming positive relationships.

AT RISK FOR BEING BULLIED AT RISK FOR BULLYING OTHERS RISK FACTORS AT RISK FOR BEING BULLIED AT RISK FOR BULLYING OTHERS Don’t get along well with others Less popular Few or no friends Don’t conform to gender norms Low self-esteem Depressed/anxious Can be popular or isolated Aggressive Less parental involvement Impulsive Difficulty following rules View violence in a positive way

WARNING SIGNS 1. Makes up excuses not to go to school 2. Is often angry, sad or depressed, withdrawn, self-loathing and emotionally erratic 3. Frequently hurt by a particular person or group of people 4. Frequently picked on in the presence of other people 
 5. Mistakes are turned into a big deal by someone 6. Belongings are often stolen or taken 7. Always being confronted with lies/rumors

EFFECTS on the VICTIM Feel tense, anxious, and afraid Less concentration in school Avoidance of school Damages self-esteem and feelings of self-worth Increased social isolation, leading to withdrawal, depression, anxiety, and insecurity Some teens feel compelled to take drastic measures, such as carrying weapons for protection or seeking violent revenge Suicidal thoughts

CONSEQUENCES Teen bullying is often a warning sign that children and teens are heading for trouble and are at risk for serious violence. Teens (particularly boys) who bully are more likely to engage in other antisocial/delinquent behavior (e.g., vandalism, shoplifting, truancy, and drug use) into adulthood.

BULLYING AS A CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATION Schools are responsible for taking care of harassment incidents. Dept. of Education’s Office for Civil Rights Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability

HOW TO GET HELP The Youth Voice Research Project If you see bullying... Don’t join in Walk away Give support Talk to someone you trust

QUIZ QUESTIONS

REFERENCES Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence. (2011). Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (BPP). Retrieved from http://www.colorado.edu/cspv/blueprints/m odelprograms/BPP.html Family First Aid. (2011). School Bullying and Teen Bullying Statistics. Retrieved from http://www.familyfirstaid.org/bullying.html Minnesota Department of Human Rights. (2005). The Rights Stuff Newsletter. Retrieved from http://www.humanrights.state.mn.us/edu cation/articles/rs05_1bully_edu.html StopBullying.gov. (2011). Retrieved from www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov