1. Bullying and Relationship Violence
Ms. Fitchwell
Health Education- Grade 8

2. Topics Covered Section 1: Bullying Section 2: Violence and Abuse
Sections 3: How can you avoid Abuse?
Section 4: Dating Violence

3. Dealing With Bullying Bullying IS a BIG Deal
BULLYING: when a person is picked on over and over again by an individual or group with more power
Could be physical strength or social standing
What are the two main reasons people are bullied?
Appearance:
Clothes they wear, haircut, etc.
Social Status:
The way someone acts, race, religion, sexuality

4. Dealing With Bullying Bullies Attack Physically
Shoving, tripping, punching, etc.
Bullies Attack Psychologically
Verbal insults, labeling, name calling, etc
Cyber Bullying Missouri
One of the MOST painful aspects of Bullying is its RELENTLESSNESS
Studies show that people who are abused by their peers are at risk for mental health problems
Depression
Anxiety
People who are bullied may also develop physical illness
Stomach pains, extreme stress levels, etc.

5. Bullying Bullies are at risk for developing problems as well
Often leads to more violent behavior as the bully grows up
As many as 25% of elementary school bullies have a criminal record by the time they are 30 years old
May end up being rejected by their peers
Do not do as well in school
Often do not have the career or relationship success that other people enjoy

6. Who Bullies? Often have poor social skills and poor social judgment
People who are insecure with themselves
Put others down to make themselves feel more interesting or powerful
Some have personality disorders
Both boys and girls can be bullies
May be outgoing and aggressive
May try to manipulate in deceptive ways
Like to dominate others
Have often been bullied in the past themselves

7. What Can You Do About Bullying?
When to tell an adult
Younger kids should ALWAYS tell an adult
Teens should tell an adult if there have been threats of physical danger or harm
Many teens have died when threats, and attacks were unreported and the silence gave the bully an “ok” to become more and more violent

8. What Can You Do About Bullying?
Ignore the Bully and Walk Away
NOT a coward’s response
Can be harder than losing your temper
You are telling the bully that you just don’t care
The bully will likely get bored with trying to bother you
Walk TALL and hold your head HIGH
Hold the Anger
Anger is the response the bully is looking to get from you
Bullies want to know that they have control over you
Work out your anger in another way, such as…

9. What Can You Do About Bullying?
Don’t Get Physical
Do NOT use physical force
You cannot be sure how the bully will respond
Talk About It
Guidance Counselor, Teacher, or Friend
Good outlet for fears and frustrations
Find Your True Friends
Find one or two good friends you can confide in that the bully has hurt your feelings
Tell those friends about the truth of the rumors the bully may be starting about you

10. Section 2: Violence and Abuse

11. Where Violence Occurs Violence can occur in any relationship
Family Violence
Spousal Abuse- abuse of wife/husband
Child Abuse- abuse of child
Neglect- failure to provide for a child’s physical/emotional needs
Dating Violence
Rape- any forced sexual activity that is unwanted
Date Abuse- mental, emotional, physical abuse of a BF/GF
Community Violence
Personal Assault- unlawful attack with the intent to harm
Homicide- willful killing of another person
Gang Related

12. What is abuse? Physical- harm to the body
Punching, Kicking, Pushing, Biting, Shaking, Use of Weapons
Emotional- attacking a person’s sense of worth
Putdowns, Shouting/Screaming, Name calling, and Threats of other violence
Sexual- sexual contact against persons will
Touching, Gestures, Speaking, Intercourse

13. Signs of Abuse Any physical harm Controlling Humiliation Threats
Dress, Friends, What you say
Humiliation
Puts you down, then tells you “I love you”
Threats
Especially if you want to leave relationship
Twists the truth
Wants you to feel at fault
Keeps track of you
Jealousy/Anger when you are around others

14. Cycle of Abuse
Honeymoon Phase

15. Honeymoon Stage- Both people are happy in relationship
Tension Phase- Tension build between people, abusive person gets frustrated with other.
Abuse Stage- Shortest stage / Most harmful
This stage is based on one specific incident that leads to an explosion of anger.
Abuser calms and tries to make up for abuse by returning to honeymoon phase

16. Section 3: How can you Avoid Violence?

17. How YOU can Avoid Violence
1. Recognize
Become aware of the acts that are abusive
The Best way to protect yourself is to become aware.
2. Resist
If anyone tries to abuse you, be assertive and stand up for yourself.
3. Report
If treated in an abusive manner, get away and tell someone ASAP.
Report abuse of others.

18. Breaking the Cycle The Cycle of Violence
You can help break the cycle of abuse. If you or someone you know is being abused…
Tell a trusted adult. Ask them for help to resolve the problem.
Contact an abuse hot line or crisis center that can help.
Report the abuse to the police.
The Cycle of Violence

19. Community Support Who can you turn to for help?
Parents, Teachers, Trusted Adult
Student Assistance Team at BMS
Crisis Centers/Hotlines
Local Law Enforcement
Family Counseling
Support Groups- groups of individuals with similar
problems

20. Find Local Help
Using the following key words and the Yellow pages, look for community help in your area.
Key Words: (Pennsylvania)
Counseling,
Child Abuse,
Crisis Intervention,
Social Workers,
Domestic Abuse,
Human Service Organization,
Social and Human Service Organization

21. Template for each resource
Homework Criteria
Homework Directions
Use the Yellow Pages and/or Internet to identify 5 community resources for Relationship Violence
Resources must be local (412 or 724 area code)
Identify the following for each resource
Name of Organization
Phone Number
Hotline Number
Website (if applicable)
Template for each resource
Pittsburgh Action Against Rape
(Main Number)
1-866-END-RAPE (HOTLINE)

22. Discussion
What are some reasons why people would not report the abuse that they are receiving?
Are the reasons different for the following relationships: Family, Dating, Community?

23. Section 4: Dating Violence

24. Dating Violence Dating violence
Abuse in dating relationships which can be physical, emotional or sexual
Gateway Cheerleader
Mt. Lebanon
Problem: Teens often see abuse or dominant treatment as a sign of love and emotion.
Solution: Recognize that no one deserves to be abused or controlled.

25. Signs Indicating Unhealthy Dating Relationships
These signs may indicate that an unhealthy relationship is moving toward abuse:
1. Expression of Jealousy
2. Attempts to control a partner’s behaviors
Cell phones, keeping tabs on what you do
3. Use of insults or put-downs to manipulate a partner
4. Use of guilt to manipulate a partner
Remember, healthy relationships involves kindness, caring and respect, not control and abuse.

26. Dating Violence Statistics
70% of girls and 52% of boys who are abused report an injury from a violent relationship. (Foshee 1996).
8% of boys and 9% of girls have been to an emergency room for an injury received from a dating partner (Foshee 1996).
Victims of dating violence are not only at increased risk for injury, they are also more likely to engage in binge drinking, suicide attempts, physical fights, and currently sexual activity CDC 2006.
Rates of drug, alcohol, and tobacco use are more than twice as high in girls who report physical or sexual dating violence than in girls who report no violence (Plichta 1996).

27. Dating Precautions Know your date more than casually Similar age dates
Assertively set boundaries
Avoid being alone
Do not use drugs
Watch food and drink. Get them for yourself.

28. Answer Your Questions
Students are told to write down any question they may have concerning dating.
The teacher will read any questions and the class will discuss in a open forum their thoughts and opinions.
The teacher will assist in correcting any incorrect knowledge as the class conversation progresses.