Bullying

Post box questions 1. What is bullying? 2. How do girls bully? 3. Why do you think some people bully? 4. Why do you think some people become victims of bullying? 5. What do you think may be the effects of being bullied? 6. What do you think might stop a bully from bullying others? 7. What can you do if you are being bullied?

What is bullying? Bullying is when someone keeps doing or saying things to have power over another person. Bullying is a serious negative behaviour that requires serious action to be taken to stop it.

Bullying… Usually has five common features it is a deliberate, hurtful behaviour it is often repeated over a period of time it is difficult for those being bullied to defend themselves it is often difficult for those who bully to learn new social behaviours the person who bullies has, and exercises power inappropriately over the victim

Types of bullying All forms of bullying can be damaging. Verbal – name calling, making rude jokes or gestures, saying or writing nasty things about them, insulting and racist remarks, threatening them. Physical – punching, pushing, hitting, kicking, taking or damaging belongings Social/Emotional – not talking or ignoring people, making them do things they don’t want to do Indirect / emotional - spreading nasty stories, excluding from groups Electronic – text messages, phone calls, emails, cyber bullying (internet, websites) All forms of bullying can be damaging.

Bullying is not tolerated in society Bullying can make people feel lonely, unhappy, frightened, unsafe and think that there must be something wrong with them.

dealing with bullying Bullying can have different levels, ranging from being given a hard time through to serious physical assault . Ignore the bully – or try to walk away Ask them why they feel the need to bully others. Use humour to change the situation. Stand up for yourself – use confident body language (stand up tall, face them, direct eye contact, stay calm and tell them to stop.) Get help - tell someone you trust, family, friends, school teacher, Dean, school counsellor. Spend time with others or stay in public places. Focus on positives, believe in yourself and be confident .

Building a supportive environment Rights and responsibilities In groups discuss ways you can make the classroom and school a supportive environment. Example – Accepting the rights of others to be different and tolerating their views and beliefs even if they are different to me.

Why are some young people bullied? Some young people are bullied for no particular reason, but usually it's because they are different in some way - perhaps it's the colour of their skin, the way they talk, their size or their name. Sometimes young people are bullied because they look like they won't stand up for themselves.

Websites on bullying http://www.netsmartz.org/RealLifeStories/BrokenFriendship www.youthline.co.nz

9Ped/Health pairs and groups of four for rest of the term. 1. Florence – Dhrumi 2. Patricia – Marwa 3. Jessica T – Shannen 4. Shradha – Rachel F 5. Justyce – karman 6. Shaelyn – Odessa 7. Mariah – Levonne 8. Marianna – Rachel J 9. Chloe – Cayla 10. Christella – Suzan 11. Jakhana Lee - Shazmeen 12. Jessica R - Divya