Dignity for All Students Act DASA Student Awareness and Prevention

What is DASA? NYS enacted a law in 2012 called the Dignity for All Students Act. The goal is to make the school a safe place where everyone is welcome and feels welcome. You have probably heard a lot about bullying in the news. This is because it is a serious issue that has long lasting and serious consequences for all involved including the bullies, victims and bystanders.

Why is it important to us all? About one in every three people have or will experience bullying in their lives. So, that means that every person in this room has probably experienced bullying or has a loved one, maybe a brother, sister, or cousin, who has been the victim of bullying.

What is bullying? Bullying is an act of repeated aggressive behavior by one or more students in order to intentionally hurt another person physically or emotionally.

What are the major features of bullying? Deliberate – a bully’s intention to hurt someone Repeated – a bully often targets the same victim again and again Power imbalance – a bully chooses victims he or she perceives as vulnerable It is NOT: A disagreement among friends or playful teasing where both people think it is funny.

Weight National Origin Ethnic Group Religion Bullying includes but is not limited to those acts based on actual or perceived: Race Color Weight National Origin Ethnic Group Religion Religious Practice Disability Sexual Orientation Sex Gender Identity

. Those who engage in bullying can be charged with criminal liability in addition to civil suits.

The excuses of, “I was just teasing” or “we were just joking around” do not fly. The test to determine if you are bullying or joking is whether both parties involved were “having fun”. If one person isn’t, then it is bullying. So, the best bet is to avoid these behaviors altogether and that way there will be no issues or misunderstandings.

At Buffalo Schools, all acts of bullying will be reported to your parent and there will be disciplinary consequences at school in accordance with the Code of Conduct.

Physical Bullying Any physical aggression (hitting, kicking, punching, tripping, shoving). Also includes damaging property

Name calling Teasing Gossiping Mean words Threats Rumors Verbal Bullying Saying or writing something negative, nasty, or hurtful Name calling Teasing Gossiping Mean words Threats Rumors

Unwanted sexual comments or touching. Sexual harassment Unwanted sexual comments or touching.

So……keep your hands to yourself and keep sexual comments out of your discussions.

Emotional/Relational Bullying Withdrawing friendship or rejecting someone in order to assert control over that person

Using the internet or social media to bully or harass Cyber Bullying Using the internet or social media to bully or harass

Cyber Bullying and the Law There are lots of court cases about cyber bullying. Mostly because it is easy to prove – a record is kept automatically and can be provided to courts.

Roles of Bullying The Bully – The person or persons doing the bullying The Victim – The person or persons being bullied The Bystander – The person or persons witnessing the bullying

Action Plans to Prevent Bullying To the Bully: Your actions show poor character. Your actions can result in criminal and civil charges in court and will result in disciplinary consequences at school. Don’t bully and don’t “play” in a way that could be seen as bullying.

Action Plans to Prevent Bullying To the Victim: Tell an adult. Stand up to the bully if it feels safe. Enlist friends for moral support. Know that there is nothing wrong with being who you are.

Action Plans to Prevent Bullying To the Bystander: You have the most power to stop bullying. Become an Upstander

Change “Bystander” to Upstander An upstander is someone who witnesses bullying and stands up for the victim.

Be a friend to someone being bullied. Be an Upstander Be a friend to someone being bullied. Let them know you care and that you do not like what is happening. Do something nice for them - a specific act of kindness.

Get an adult to intervene. Be an Upstander Get an adult to intervene. Help the person being bullied get away from the situation.

Don’t laugh or participate when you see bullying. Be an Upstander Don’t laugh or participate when you see bullying. If it feels safe, tell the bully to cut it out. Set a good example and do not bully others yourself.

Be an Upstander Report bullying to the school principal, on the school website, or to any adult in the building.

Show website link here (from your school’s homepage) “Bullying Online Reporting”

What is the difference between snitching and reporting?

Snitching is to get someone into trouble Snitching is to get someone into trouble. Reporting is to get someone out of danger.

Be an Upstander For more information: www.stopbullying.gov and Stop Bullying Now! link on the BPS homepage

Dignity For All Students Act Test for Understanding Take the Test! Dignity For All Students Act Test for Understanding