Anti-Bullying and harassment Presentation Boston Middle School 2014-2015 Anti-Bullying and harassment Presentation

Focus on: What is the definition of harassment/bullying and what are their major differences? Where and to whom do harassment/bullying rules/laws apply? What are 3 ‘takeaways” from this presentation?

Bullying Definition (Indiana Code: IC 21-39-2-2.1) Bullying means overt, unwanted, repeated acts or gestures, including verbal or written communications transmitted in any manner (including digitally or electronically), physical acts committed, aggression, or any other behaviors committed by a student or group of students against another student with the intent to harass, ridicule, humiliate, intimidate or harm the other student and create for the targeted student, while the targeted student is on the property owned, used, or occupied by the state educational institution, an objectively hostile environment that: (Indiana Code: IC 21-39-2-2.1)

Bullying Definition continued 1) places the targeted student reasonable fear or harm to the targeted student’s person or property 2) has a substantially detrimental effect on the targeted student’s physical or mental health 3) has the effect of substantially interfering with the targeted student’s academic performance 4) has the effect of substantially interfering with the targeted student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, and privileges provided by the state educational institution

Where does Bullying rules Apply? Bullying rules may be applied regardless of the physical location in which the bullying behavior occurred, whenever: (1) the individual committing the bullying behavior and any of the intended targets of the bullying behavior are students attending a school within a school corporation; and (2) disciplinary action is reasonably necessary to avoid substantial interference with school discipline or prevent an unreasonable threat to the rights of others to a safe and peaceful learning environment.

What does this Mean? Indiana Government has taken a strong stance against bullying and so has Indiana schools Targeting someone and bothering that person repeatedly is bullying A student can be off school grounds and receive consequences if behavior interferes with school

Harassment Definition IC 35-45-2-1 Intimidation      Sec. 1. (a) A person who communicates a threat to another person, with the intent:         (1) that the other person engage in conduct against the other person's will;         (2) that the other person be placed in fear of retaliation for a prior lawful act;

We are all different. Show tolerance. Examples of Harassment * Categories of discrimination Name calling Teasing Inappropriate notes, texts Hitting/grabbing body parts Rumor spreading Threats and hostility Intimidation Offensive language Discrimination * Gender Religion Race Color Ethnicity Sexual Orientation Age Disability We are all different. Show tolerance.

Anti-bullying strategies BMS Counselors: Always tell an adult. It is hard to talk about serious things with adults sometimes, but they can help put a stop to bullying. Tell an adult that you trust and can talk to - your parents, your teacher, your school counselor, your coach, your neighbor. Stand up to the person doing the bullying. If you feel safe doing this, tell a person who is bullying that what he or she is doing is wrong and that he or she should stop. Keep it simple. You could just say, "Ben, cut it out. Nobody thinks that's funny."

Anti-bullying strategies cont. Stay in a group. Kids who bully like to pick on kids who are by themselves a lot– it is easier and they are more likely to get away with their bad behavior. If you spend more time with other kids, you may not be an easy "target" and you will have others around to help you if you get into a difficult situation! Join clubs or take part in activities where you'll meet other kids. Sometimes, it can help to join clubs or take part in activities that interest you. Think about joining a sports team, join an after-school club, or participate in Campus Life, for example. You can meet other kids who share your interests and you might make some good friends!

Cyber-Abuse Cyber-harassment & Cyber-bullying: A person bullying another person on the Internet or through an electronic device. Bullying involves repeated put-downs, insults, and threats. Flaming: When someone responds inappropriately to a disrespectful comment, which continues the issue and makes it worse. To prevent flaming, do not respond, save the messages so you can show a trusted adult, and don’t worry if the message is from an unknown person; they can always be tracked down.

Cyber Harassment-Electronic message Harassment; ‘obscene message’ defined in Indiana Code 35-43-2-3(a):      Sec. 2. (a) A person who, with intent to harass, annoy, or alarm another person but with no intent of legitimate communication:  * makes a telephone call, whether or not a conversation ensues;  * uses a computer network or other form of electronic communication to:   (A) communicate with a person; or   (B) transmit an obscene message or indecent or profane words to a person; commits harassment (Class B misdemeanor)

Online advice If you would not say it to the person’s face, do not say it online. Be careful with sarcasm—it can be misread. Be extra careful about what you say online because your audience cannot hear tone or see facial expressions.

Terrible Text Strategies Ignore the message: ignoring the text will help avoid making the situation worse (flamed); take them off your contact list or block them if you can Save the message: any message can be traced; save the message in case you need to provide them all to the authority Share the message: share the message with a trusted adult; especially if ignoring the issue does not discontinue messages

Consequences of online interactions Police Liaison Officer… May lead to legal consequences-placing comments online leaves a trail of evidence; everything online is archived and saved! May lead to removal from school or consequences from parents May place you in harms way; predators search the Internet to target children May prevent you from playing sports, receiving a scholarship, a job, work release, a driver’s license or getting accepted into college!

Everyone has the right to be respected           and the responsibility to respect others. References http://www.nsteens.org/, 9/2013 http://www.netsmartz.org/index.aspx, 9/2013 http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.org, 9/2013 http://www.youtube.com/watch/?v=YFzay3Vm860