Bullying Prevention

Bullying

What is Bullying?Definition:

A person is being bullied when he or she is exposed, repeatedly and over time, to negative actions on the part of one or more persons

Imbalance of power Repeated actions Intentional Actions Unequal levels of affect

Types: Physical aggression Social aggression Verbal aggression Intimidation Written aggression Sexual harassment Racial & cultural

harassment

Normal Conflict Bullying

Equal power; friends Imbalance of power; not friends

Happens occasionally Repeated negative actions

Accidental Purposeful

Not serious Serious- threat of physical harm or emotional hurt

Equal emotional reaction Strong emotional reaction on behalf of victim

Not seeking power or attention Seeking power, control

Not trying to get something Trying to gain material things or power

Remorse-takes responsibility No remorse-blames victim

Effort to solve problem No effort to solve problem

Reasons why students bully others To gain power To gain popularity and attention To act out problems from home To copy what someone else does that they

admire They perceive it as fun They have low self-esteem (sometimes)

Boys vs. GirlsBoys

Characteristics: Intimidation Control Humiliation Power domination Threats to one’s safety

Tactics: Name calling Physical attacks

Pushing Shoving Kicking Spitting

Extortion (money, belongings)

Defacing victim’s property Repeated physical attacks Inappropriate sexual

behavior

Boys vs. GirlsGirls

Characteristics: Social cruelty Manipulation Hurt feelings Subtle

rejection/ostracism Character assassination

Tactics: Name calling Isolating the victim Ethnic slurs Spreading false rumors

Ha Ha So StrategiesVictims

Help: Seek assistance from an adult, friend, or peer Assert Yourself: Make assertive statements to the bully

addressing your feelings about the bullying behavior Humor: Use humor to de-escalate a situation Avoid: Walk away or avoid certain places in order to avoid a

bullying situation Self-Talk: Use positive self-talk to maintain positive self-

esteem during a bullying situation Own-it: “Own” the put-down or belittling comment in order to

diffuse it.

Help!Victim Don’ts

Cry or act hurt Lose temper Escalate Return the aggression Get others to gang up on the bully Tease back Call the teaser names Bring weapons to school

Bystanders Most ignored and underused resource in school 85% of the population Become desensitized over time

Why don’t they get involved? Fear of retaliation Don’t know what to do Afraid they’ll make things worse Worry about losing social status Don’t believe that adults will help

BystanderBystander

Request that the bully stop Seek adult help if the bully does not stop Speak up and/or offer support to the victim Take the bully aside and ask him or her to “cool it”

Tattling vs. TellingTattling versus Telling

Tattling Telling

UnimportantHarmful or dangerous

physically or psychologically

Can handle by selfNeed help from an

adult to solve

Purpose is to get someone In trouble

Purpose is to keep people safe

Behavior is accidental Behavior is purposeful

Consequences of BullyingThe Bully

Fights Theft Vandalism Drunkenness Bullies also 5 to 6 times more

likely to have serious criminal records by young adulthood

The Victim Experience physical and

psychological damage Cut school for fear of being bullied Experience depression, poor self-

esteem, and other mental health problems as adults

Fear of using school property (bus, restrooms, and locker rooms)

Drop out of school Change schools Attempt suicide Seek revenge

Consequences of Bullying

The Bystander Fear of association with victim(s) may bring

bullying their way Learn that bullying is a way to gain prestige and

attention Fear reporting bullying incidents because they

may be labeled a “snitch,” “tattler,” or “informer” Experience feelings of guilt and of helplessness

for not assisting the victim

Take a stand Stop rumors Don’t pass on a hurtful note Speak up to a bully: “We don’t do that here” Ask someone new to join you at lunch Say “hi” to a new student or someone you don’t

know very well Include someone new in one of your activities Join up with someone who is being bothered and

take them out of the situation Let adults know when someone needs help

Bullying is when a person is exposed, repeatedly to negative actions; an

imbalance of power.

A) True

B) False

A difference between normal conflict and bullying is:

A) Bullying causes a strong emotional reaction on behalf of the victim

B) Bullying is accidental

C) Bullying happens occasionally

D) Bullying does not seek power or attention

Reasons students bully include all of the following except:

A) To gain power

B) To gain popularity

C) To be different from others

D) They perceive it as fun

Which of the following is a characteristic of a girl bully?

A) Intimidation

B) Humiliation

C) Social cruelty

D) Power domination

The Ha Ha So Strategies include all of the following except:

A) Help

B) Assert Yourself

C) Humor

D) Self-defense

Bystanders do not get involved in bullying situations because:

A) Don’t believe that adults will help

B) Believe that adults will help

C) Fear that the victim will be mad at them

D) Believe that the victim knows what to do

The difference between tattling and telling is:

A) Telling: The behavior is purposeful

B) Telling: The purpose is to get someone in trouble

C) Telling: The behavior is accidental

D) Tattling: The behavior is done on purpose

Consequences of bullying include all of the following except:

A) Bullies are more likely to have criminal records by young adulthood

B) Victims cut school for fear of being bullied

C) Victims experience only physical damage

D) Bystanders fear association with victims may bring bullying their way

All of the following are examples of ways you can take a stand except:

A) Stop spreading false statements

B) Ask the bully to join you at lunch

C) Don’t pass on a hurtful note

D) Let adults know when someone needs help