1. Bullying and Harassment Identification and Prevention East Allen County Schools Student Training
Welcome to the East Allen county schools training on bullying prevention and intervention.

2. 6 out of 10 American teenagers witness bullying in school once a day
Bullying affects nearly 1 in 3 American school children in grades 6 through 10
83% of girls and 79% of boys report experiencing harassment
Source:
According to the National Education Association, 6 out of 10 American teenagers witness bullying in school once a day, and nearly 1 in 3 American school children in grades 6 through 10 are affected by bullying. 83% of girls and 79% of boys report experiencing harassment.

3. Bullying Overview & Terminology
The following section contains information specific to bullying prevention, and the terminology associated with anti-bullying education

4. Bullying Prevention & the Law
Bullying is defined for Indiana schools in HEA 1423
IC – “Bullying” means:
Overt (intentional) unwanted, repeated acts or gestures including:
Verbal or Written communication, or images transmitted in any manner (including digitally or electronically)
Physical acts committed, aggression, or any other behaviors that are committed by a student or group of students against another student with the intent to
Harass, ridicule, humiliate, intimidate, or harm the targeted student and
Create for the targeted student an objectively hostile school environment
Indiana Code defines bullying for schools. Bullying behavior is intentional. It is meant to cause physical, social or emotional harm. Bullying also creates an environment where the targeted student feels uncomfortable or unsafe. This law calls the sense of fear a “hostile school environment”. Bullying prevention research calls this an imbalance of power between the targeted student, and the bully. All three of these characteristics make this type of peer abuse, bullying.
An objectively hostile learning environment helps determine in what ways a targeted student may feel unsafe. This can relate to the students person or their property. They may also feel that their physical or mental health are in question. Bullying can result in the targeted students decline in academic growth, or ability to focus on learning.
Students targeted in bullying may also feel a fear to participate in social or extra-curricular activities. These concerns are due to a feeling of intimidation, or an imbalance of power be it physical, emotional, or social.

5. Bullying Prevention & the Law (Cont.)
IC (continued )- an “objectively hostile learning environment”:
places the targeted student in reasonable fear or harm to the to the targeted student’s person or property;
has a substantially detrimental effect on the targeted student’s physical or mental health;
has the effect of substantially interfering with the targeted student’s academic performance; OR
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 school

6. Title IX What is Title IX
Title IX is a federal law that protects students from sexual discrimination. Sexual harassment is a type of discrimination.
EACS has policies in place that protects students from being sexually harassed at school, extra-curricular activities, and all other school sponsored events.

7. Defining Bullying in Simple Terms
Unwanted,
aggressive behavior
Real or perceived power imbalance
An easy way to remember the definition of bullying is to think of a three legged stool. For a behavior called bullying, all 3 legs must be in place. If one leg is not in place, the behavior it isn’t bullying.
First, the incident or behavior was unwanted and seen as aggressive. Next, the behavior was repeated, and finally, there is an imbalance of power either real or it seems real. That 3rd leg, imbalance of power, is very important when deciding if there really is a “bullying incident”. Sometimes, students have a disagreement but it is not bullying.
Repeated or potential for repeated behavior

8. Sexual Harassment = Unwanted/Unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature
Inappropriate touching - Somebody touching, patting, kissing, pinching, hugging, groping, or brushing up against you when you don’t want them to do it.
Inappropriate gestures - gestures or body language of a sexual nature, including leering or staring at another

9. Sexual Harassment = Unwanted/Unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature
Repetitive requests - Someone you met puts pressure on you for sex (included repeated requests, staring, or other persistent behavior).
Inappropriate jokes – of a sexual nature. In person or by using technology
Slander/Name Calling - harsh words that defame someone’s character and/or make reference to a person’s actual or perceived sexual orientation

10. Terminology Target: Student who has been bullied
Bully: Student who has been identified as exhibiting behavior that was determined to be bullying
Bystander: Student(s) who have observed another student being bullied
Bullying changes. This slide contains the most common terms associated with bullying. The target is the student who has been picked on by the bully. The bully is the student that was reported as the one picking on the target. The bystander or witness is the student or students who have watched the bullying happen.

11. Types of Bullying Physical Verbal Social/Relational
Electronic or Written Communication (“Cyberbullying”)
The Indiana Department of Education has identified 4 categories of bullying behaviors. Physical, Verbal, Social, and Electronic or Written Communication, also sometimes to referred to as cyberbullying.

12. Types of Sexual Harassment
Verbal
Physical - including intimidation
Using Technology – text messages, cyber bullying, use of social media

13. Physical Bullying Examples: Hitting/Punching/Pushing Tripping Spitting
Breaking someone’s things
Blocking someone’s path
Throwing objects at someone
Physical bullying involves hurting a person’s body or possessions. Some examples are listed on your screen. Research shows that boys more often, are the targets AND the bulliers in physical bullying situations.

14. Verbal Bullying Examples: Name calling Mean comments Mocking
Making fun of you
Insults related to race, disability, gender, sexual orientation
Negative comments about the way you look, dress or act
Verbal bullying involves saying mean things to others. Some examples are listed on your screen.

15. Social/Relational Bullying
Examples:
Spreading rumors
Gossiping
Leaving someone out on purpose
Ignoring
Threatening aggression against people, property or possessions (verbal or written)
Intimidating looks or gestures
Embarrassing someone in public
The 3rd type of bullying is social or relational bullying which involves hurting someone’s reputation or relationships. This can be done many ways, some of which are listed on your screen. Research shows that girls more often are the targets AND the bulliers of social and relational bullying.

16. Electronic or Written Communication Bullying (Cyberbullying)
Inappropriate, derogatory, or threatening electronic messages
Notes
Instant Message
Text
Social network sites
Digital pictures
Website postings
Fake profiles
Electronic or written communication bullying takes place through the use of written messages or using various forms of electronic technology. Some examples are listed on your screen.

17. Bullying is NOT:
There are many types of aggressive behaviors that do not fit the definition of bullying. This does not mean that they are any less serious or do not require intervention.
Peer Conflict
Teen Dating Violence
Hazing
Gang Violence
Stalking
Friendship problems
Short-term argument
Fights
It is important for students to understand that NOT EVERY harmful or aggressive act is bullying. However, aggressive and harmful acts are serious, and many times need adult involvement.

18. Bullying Prevention & Intervention for Students

19. Bullying or Harassment can occur anywhere:
in school
at home
in sports
on social media
on the bus
etc.

20. Prevention Treat all people with respect and empathy
Foster a positive school climate
Do not ignore bullying or harassment /Do something
Report all bullying and harassment
Discretely
Snitching VS. Reporting
Treating people with respect creates a positive atmosphere in your school and can go a long way in preventing bullying situations. If you see bullying occur, report it to a trusted adult

21. Prevention Be a Buddy for:
Younger students
Quieter students
You have an opportunity to set a positive example:
In school
Away from school
Do what you can to help students who need a friend. You will be helping them and setting a good example for your friends/peers.

22. What Bystanders can do to assist
Ask bully to stop
Don’t support the Bully:
Don’t join the bully
Don’t laugh or spread rumors
Don’t tease or gossip
Support targeted students
Privately w/kind words
Publicly (pick up books, walk with them, include them, etc.)
Don’t let bullying happen without responding in some way. Your action is important in stopping bullies from hurting other students

23. What Bystanders can do to assist
Report incidents to a trusted adult
Snitching VS. Reporting
Support the targeted students
Do not support the bully
Be assertive not aggressive
Report acts of bullying or harassment to a trusted adult
Many people arte afraid that if they tell an adult about a bullying situation it will cause more problems. The truth is if you don’t say anything it will never stop. At the very least DO NOT support the bully or egg them on. (If you report bulling you want the behavior to stop. If you snitch on someone your desire is to get them in trouble)

24. How Targets of Bullying or Harassment can help themselves
Ignore bullying behavior
Respond with humor
Be assertive not aggressive
Spend time in groups
Request bully or harasser to stop and walk away
Tell a teacher, guidance counselor, principal, parent, Title IX Coordinator or other trusted adult
Get involved in extra curricular activities
It is not easy if you are the target of bullying. However, there are some ideas on this slide to help you.

25. The impact on Bullies School Sanctions Parental discipline
Criminal prosecution
Harassment
Intimidation
Disorderly Conduct
Battery
Criminal trespass
Computer Trespass
Bullies need to know that their behavior is not acceptable and that it can cause negative consequences for them.

26. FYI
Intimidation is against the law, just like physical actions and threats
Bullying and harassment can be prosecuted
Athletic or academic status is not a protection
Bullying and harassment at school is taken seriously
(Tier one or two consequences or referral to law enforcement)
Listed on the slide are some additional things to consider about bullying behavior.

27. East Allen County Schools anti-bullying guidelines and other bullying information is available to staff, parents, and students via the district website.
In order to access this information, go to the district homepage, then to the parents tab, then scroll down to find Anti-bullying guidelines. Here you can find the definitions of bullying, the bullying pledge, the School Report Form for Complaints of Harassment and Bullying.

28. The student handbook or back to School Guide also provides detailed information related to bullying, behavioral expectations for students, and discipline guidelines. Staff, parents and students can find a copy of the student handbook by visiting the EACS homepage, clicking on the parent tab, and then on the back to school guide tab.

29. Remember…
It takes everyone working together to make your school a safe and supportive environment where every student feels welcome and ready to learn
As a member of this school community, it’s your responsibility to:
Learn about bullying and harassment and how it is different than other behaviors
Report bullying or harassment to a trusted adult
Do your part to make your school a safe place!
Remember, when you see something, do something. Your response to a bullying situation is helpful in many ways. Your action provides immediate support for the target. Your courage to get involved shows the way students should behave. Slide 28 stands for itself

30. When you see something, do something.
Remember…
When you see something, do something.
Source:
Remember, when you see something, do something.

31. Who is responsible for ensuring that your school is harassment free:
Principals, Assistant Principals, teachers, staff, and students
EVERYONE!

32. EACS’ Title IX Coordinator
Responsible for EACS’ compliance with Title IX and directs complaint investigations.
Amanda Ricketts
1240 State Road 930 E. New Haven, IN 46744
ext 1009

33. Thank you for your attention during this training on bullying prevention and intervention.