BULLYING

Creating A Shared Understanding

Working Together To Make A Difference

The stopbullying.gov website provides us with this definition

Bullying Definition
Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Both kids who are bullied and who bully others may have serious lasting problems. In order to be considered bullying, the behavior must be aggressive and include: An Imbalance of Power Repetition Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose.
(stopbullying website, March 4, 2012)

Common Elements

Intentionality

Repetition

Power Differential

Different Forms Of Bullying:

Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Canadian National Network highlights four forms of bullying for us to be aware of:

Physical Bullying Punching, hitting, pushing, sexual touching, spitting Verbal Bullying Teasing, name-calling, initiating rumours, mimicking

Social Bullying Perceived public humiliation, excluding others from group, gossiping Cyberbullying Using email, text messages, Facebook, or internet to harass, threaten, put down or spread rumors about others
(Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence website, 2011)

Discussion Break
Please take time to meet in groups of 3 5 to .. Summarize key points Add your own thoughts Pose clarifying questions

The Makeup of a Bully

The Government of Albertas website Bully Free Alberta states:
What we know for sure? Bullying is a learned behavior Most of can learn positive behaviors Power is very reinforcing for most human beings Adults are responsible for role modeling positive behaviour We can predict when and where bullying is likely to occur We can use this knowledge to prevent bullying

(Bully Free Alberta website, 2005)

Possible Indicators That Someone Is Bullying:

Aggressive behavior towards others Demonstrates a lack of empathy for others Easily frustrated Will try to control or manipulate others Has friends who bully Has new possessions or money with no explanation Secretive about behavior or location

Concerns For Children Who Bully:

Higher risk of being physically aggressive in a relationship

More likely to sexually harass same as well as opposite sex peers

More likely to be involved in delinquent behavior Higher incidence of substance abuse including tobacco, drugs and alcohol Lower academic achievement and higher drop out rates

The Bullied
Barbara Coloroso states the one thing that all kids have who are bullied have in common is that a bully or a bunch of bullies has targeted them. Each one was singled out to be the object of scorn, and thus the recipient of bullying, merely because he or she was different in some way (Coloroso, 2002, p. 2).

Possible Indicators That Someone Is Being Bullied:

A change in behavior Unwillingness to attend school, fearful Little interest in things, withdrawal from family and activities Anxious behavior, depression, moody Injuries, ripped or torn clothing Lower self esteem Isolated from peers

Concerns For Children Who Are Bullied:

Depression Health concerns such as stomach aches Unwillingness to attend school, absenteeism Lower self esteem Feelings of anxiousness Isolated from peers

Discussion Break
Please take time to meet in groups of 3 5 to .. Summarize key points Add your own thoughts Pose clarifying questions

Bystanders
Bystanders are often present when bullying occurs. We can make our students be aware and report or stop bullying on the playground, lunchroom or in the halls of our school. We must work collaboratively with our students to make a change. Students and staff together can be the agents of change.

Together We Can Bring About Change

Bully Free Alberta encourages us to:

Teach Self-Power strategies if a student is being bullied

SAFE Stand up for yourself in

appropriate ways.

Ask a friend or adult for

help.

Figure out your choice. End it calmly.

(Bully Free Alberta website, 2005)

Together We Can Bring About Change

Bully Free Alberta encourages us to:

Teach Self-Power strategies if a student is a bystander

CARE Care about others. Ask an adult for help. Remember to reach out. End it.

(Bully Free Alberta website, 2005)

Next Steps:
To create an effective bullying prevention initiative based on Bully Free Alberta recommendations we need to have a plan that is school wide, is collaborative in nature, allows for a common understanding and framework for our work, is responsive in nature, focuses on prevention and contains the six elements listed.

Element 6 Element 1 Collection of Data

Monitor and Evaluate the Initiative

Element 2

Element 5 Generate a Supervision Plan

Involves Students and Staff

Element 3 Creation of an Antibullying Statement

Element 4 Generate a Response plan

Our Commitment
Based on the information shared today: What commitment can our students and staff make to stop bullying in our school? What further learning will we require? What will support look like? What resources will we require?

We Are All A Piece Of The Puzzle

Working Together To Bring About Change

Discussion Break
Please take time to meet in groups of 3 -5 to .. Summarize key points Add your own thoughts Pose clarifying questions Next Steps.

Suggested Websites:
Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence - PREVNet http://www.prevnet.ca/ Canada Safety Council http://canadasafetycouncil.org/child-safety/school-bullies Stop A Bully http://www.stopabully.ca/ Public Safety Canada http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/res/cp/res/2008-bp-01-eng.aspx StopBullying http://www.stopbullying.gov/ Bully Free Alberta http://www.bullyfreealberta.ca/ Kids Are Worth It http://www.kidsareworthit.com/

References
Bully Free Alberta website. (2005). http://www.bullyfreealberta.ca/index.htm Coloroso, B. (2002). Bully handout. Retrieved from http://www.kidsareworthit.com/uploads/BullyHandout.pdf Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence website. (2011). http://www.prevnet.ca/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx StopBullying website. (March 4, 2012). http://www.stopbullying.gov/what-is-bullying/definition/index.html