Stand Strong  Stay Safe Lesson 5

Click here to stream the video file.

Definition of Abuse Abuse is when someone intentionally crosses your boundaries in order to hurt you. Did Volt intentionally cross Twist’s boundaries? Did Twist intentionally cross Volt’s boundaries?

Volt’s Power to Choose

Twist’s Power to Choose

Emotional Control

Where Are Emotions Felt? ©2014 National Academy of Sciences

Emotional Abuse Emotional abuse is when a person intentionally crosses your emotional boundaries in order to hurt you. It is using words or actions to belittle, threaten, or make someone feel small, worthless, unimportant, or ashamed. Becker & Reilly, 1999 Lanning, 2010 Olson, Daggs, Ellevold, & Rogers, 2007 Finkelhor, 2009

Example 1 Sarah is worried about showing her dad her report card because he usually gets angry. She is proud of her work this time, but when she shows it to him he starts yelling, “I can’t believe you missed Honor Roll by one grade! You should have worked harder. How can I possibly be raising such a failure? If you don’t turn things around, say goodbye to your friends and electronics; I’ll make you shape up!”

Example 2 For the third time this week, one of Rafaela’s classmates knocks her lunch onto the floor. Her grapes scatter everywhere and the kids at her table laugh as they stomp on them. Then they yell at Rafaela to eat the grapes off the floor.

Bullying Characteristics Anyone can be a perpetrator – both adults and children. Bullying is intentional and hurtful. Bullying usually occurs as a pattern of behavior over time; in other words, it happens more than once. Bullying involves an imbalance of power; the perpetrator always has more power in the situation than the victim.

Passive Bystanders

Upstanders use their personal power to stand up against abuse and bullying so they can help keep their classrooms and communities safe.

Emotional Safety Sheet Read the scenario. Identify the perpetrator, victim, and bystanders. How could the characters make sure they were in control before reacting to the situation? How could the victim respond in a way that keeps everyone physically and emotionally safe? What could the bystanders do to help keep their community safe? Is this response passive, aggressive, or assertive?

Completed Emotional Safety Sheet Twist Twist hurt Volt’s feelings intentionally because she felt hurt. Volt Read the scenario. Identify the perpetrator, victim, and bystanders. How could the characters make sure they were in control before reacting to the situation? How could the victim respond in a way that keeps everyone physically and emotionally safe? What could the bystanders do to help keep their community safe? Is this response passive, aggressive, or assertive? Jumps and Ray Stop, Breathe, and Think Twist could have said to Volt that she felt left out when he forgot to bring a snack she could eat, and they could plan to get something at her house later.

Stand Strong Promise I promise to Stand Strong and Stay Safe. I recognize that everyone has a right to be safe and respected, no matter who they are, what they look like, or what they believe. I will use my personal strength to be assertive and make responsible choices to help everyone in my community feel safe and respected