Bullying Prevention

71% of school shooters had been victims of bullying.

is the deliberate, repeated harm or threat of harm by the same student Bullying is the deliberate, repeated harm or threat of harm by the same student or group of students against a relatively defenseless student or staff member.

Two types of Acquaintance Violence Violence stemming from Normal Conflict, which involves: disagreements, misunderstandings Bully/ Victim violence, which involves: two or more students who are equally matched lack of conflict resolution skills lack of anger management skills series of negative actions repeated over time students who are unequally matched bullies - lack of connectedness and sensitivity victims - lack of assertiveness skills

BULLYING HAPPENS... BULLYING HAPPENS… when someone with greater power unfairly hurts someone with less power over and over again. Physical Power size hitting pushing stealing defacing/destroying property threatening with a weapon Verbal Power threats insults name-calling teasing making fun of another intimidating phone calls Social Power humiliating excluding hurting feelings playing mean tricks put-downs gossip/rumors

Cyberbullying Text Messages Facebook Web Pages Sexting

The Bullying Circle V 20% Bully 80% Bystander Defender of the Victim Starts the bullying and takes an active part Defender of the Victim Dislikes the bullying and helps or tries to help the victim Follower/Henchman Takes an active part, but does not start the bullying 20% Bully V Possible Defender Dislikes the bullying and thinks he ought to help but doesn’t Supporter Supports the bullying but does not take an active part 80% Bystander Passive Supporter (Possible Bully) Likes the bullying but does not display open support Disengaged Onlooker

Characteristic of Bully High self-esteem May be popular More likely to engage in other problem behaviors later in life, such as criminal activity or alcohol or other drug abuse

Victims Passive Provocative Quiet, anxious & insecure Tend to “normalize” and no longer are victims upon entering adulthood, though they may have continued lower self-esteem and be more prone to depression Provocative Reactive, clumsy, impulsive, irritating Attempt to fight or answer back when attacked, but not effectively Often hyperactive, have difficulty concentrating and act in ways that irritate others

Typical Responses to Bullying

Enabling Entitlement Tolerance is unwittingly protecting a person from the consequences of their actions out of a sense of love, compassion, fear, or survival instinct Entitlement is the belief that it is our right to use violence or threats of violence to express feelings, meet needs, or satisfy wants. occurs when violence is accepted as the norm by adults or young people who ignore, rationalize, or minimize incidents of violence. Tolerance

Is it bullying? Is it teasing? Differentiation How is the action received by the recipient? Is the recipient too fragile to ask the aggressor to stop?

Differentiation Tattling/Snitching: Reporting: Are you trying to get someone in trouble? Reporting: Are you trying to keep someone from getting hurt?

Bullying Horseplay Fighting Differentiation Power differential, repeated, not friends Horseplay Rough play, usually friends, equal power Fighting Usually a singular event, equal power, not friends

Individual Acts of Prejudice Genocide Bias-Motivated Violence THE PYRAMID OF HATE Discrimination Bullying Ridicule Name Calling Individual Acts of Prejudice Slurs/Epithets Social Avoidance De-humanization Stereotyping BIAS Non-inclusive language Insensitive Remarks Belittling Jokes

Bullying Sticks With You

DCSS Bullying Policy State law prohibits bullying, which it defines as an act which occurs on school property, on school vehicles, at designated bus stops, or at school-related functions or activities, or by use of data or software that is accessed through a computer, computer system, computer network, or other electronic technology of a local school system, that is: Any willful attempt or threat to inflict injury on another person, when accompanied by an apparent present ability to do so; (2) Any intentional display of force such as would give the victim reason to fear or expect immediate bodily harm; or (3) Any intentional written, verbal, or physical act, which a reasonable person would perceive as being intended to threaten, harass, or intimidate, that: Causes another person substantial physical harm . . . or visible bodily harm Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education; Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment; Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.

How SHOULD bullying behavior be addressed in DeKalb County Schools? Prevention Creating Positive School Climate Educating Staff to Identify Bullying Behavior Educating Students on Bullying Behavior Educating Parents on Bullying Behavior Mobilize the Caring Majority

How SHOULD bullying behavior be addressed in DeKalb County Schools? Intervention All reports of bullying received by school personnel should be immediately reported to the school principal. Bullying reports are to be thoroughly investigated in a timely manner. Parents/Guardians of ALL parties are to be notified at the appropriate time.

Confirmed acts of bullying should be handled in a timely and age-appropriate manner, which may include some disciplinary action and/or counseling. Students in grades six through twelve found to have committed the offense of bullying for the third time in a school year shall be assigned to an alternative school. Clearly communicate to all parties that retaliation following a report of bullying is strictly prohibited and may result in strong penalties. Take care of the needs of the accused and victim through a planned method of after-care and follow-up. Reiterate to all the previously stated prohibition on retaliation.

What can parents do to help bully-proof their children? Encourage friendships. Teach your children to express themselves clearly yet tactfully. Stress the importance of body language. Start teaching the art of conflict resolution early. Help your child be self-confident. Help your child practice what to say to the bullies so he or she will be prepared the next time. Teach your child to respond effectively. However, some bullies feed on responses, so your child should assert himself just once.

Don't encourage your child to fight the bully. Tell your child it is not her fault and that s/he did the right thing by telling you. Ask your child what s/he thinks should be done. What has she tried? What worked and what didn't? Make it clear that she should never be ashamed to ask for help. Encourage your child to report the bullying to teachers, guidance counselors, or other responsible adults. Teach your child to avoid situations when necessary.

What can we do to help our child if he bullies others? Make sure your child isn't witnessing violence between members of your family. Modeling aggressive behavior at home can lead to violence by the child against others at school and later on in life. Talk to your child, his teachers and school administrators. Children who bully try to deny or minimize their wrongdoings. Cooperate with the school to help change your child's aggressive behavior. Make it clear that bullying will not be tolerated. Tell your child you will not allow such actions, and state the consequences. If the problem occurs at school, tell him that you respect the school's right to punish him/her if it persists.

Have your child walk in the victim's shoes Have your child walk in the victim's shoes. Discuss how it feels to be bullied. How would he feel if it happened to him? Increase your supervision of your child's activities and whereabouts. Find out who he's associating with. Spend time with him and set reasonable rules for and limits on activities. Praise (lots of it!) the efforts your child makes toward becoming non-violent and responsible.

Children See Children DO