Bullying

Erin Bennett and Veronica Janhunen

Bullies

Outline
What is bullying
Types of bullying Risk Factors for bullying Impacts of bullying How to talk about it What to do about it What is done in local schools Ways to prevent it

Bullying
Unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged

children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance and is repeated or has the potential to be repeated over time.
Power can be physical strength, access to embarrassing

information, popularity

Types of Bullying
Verbal: A form of direct bullying is saying or writing mean

things
Teasing Name-calling Inappropriate sexual comments Taunting Threatening to do harm

Types of Bullying
Social (relational): A form of indirect bullying is causing

harm to someones reputation or relationships

Purposefully leaving someone out Telling other kids not to be friends with someone Spreading rumors Public embarrassment

Types of Bullying
Physical: A form of direct bullying is hurting a persons body or

possessions
Hitting/kicking/pinching Spitting Tripping/pushing Taking/breaking someones things Making mean/rude hand gestures

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9v7eQVzvyI8&feature=related

Types of Bullying
Cyberbullying: Bullying via electronic media including cell

phones, computers, text messaging, and social media sites

Reaches children when they are alone Can be posted anonymously and they can go viral quickly

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3KsGTIeO7A&feature=related

Frequency
Grades 6-12: 28% of students experienced bullying and 6%

experienced cyberbullying during the 2008-2009 school year according to the National Center for Education Statistics
Grades 9-12: 20% of students experienced bullying and

16% experienced cyberbullying in 2011 according to the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System

Risk Factors
IT CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE
Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender Kids with disabilities Socially isolated youth Kids with characteristics that set them apart from the

group
Drug use (both for being bullied and being a bully)

Warning Signs
Being Bullied
Injuries without a cause Lost or destroyed personal items Somatization Changes in eating /sleeping habits, grades, social behavior Avoidance Self-destructive behavior and lower self esteem

Being a Bully
Fighting , aggressive or disruptive behavior Having bully friends Worry about reputation

Impacts of Bullying
Bullied: isolation, depression, anxiety, substance abuse,

suicidal ideation

Bully: isolation, depression, anxiety, substance abuse,

suicidal ideation

How to talk about Bullying

Bring it up at well child checks early, even with parents
Ideas for questions

Talking to Parents
How to help your child not be bullied
Encourage them to make friends Support activities that interest your child

Keeping lines of communication open

Talk with your child daily Start conversations about bullying

When YOUR child is the bully

Talk to your child to make them aware bullying is NEVER

okay
Be firm and consistent in disciplining your child

Investigate further for underlying problems

Responding to Bullying
Stop it, find out what happened, determine if it is bullying

and support your patient

Help them understand bullying

Make sure they have an adult they trust and can talk to
Teach them how to stand up to bullies

Standing up to bullies
Look them in the eye
Stay calm and stand tall Walk away Use humor Tell the bully you dont like what they are saying

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWJut7KQhI4&feature=related

How to Prevent Bullying

Talking about it Awareness of bullying Open communication between parents and kids Encourage kids to get involved Preventing it at school Assess frequency and types as well as interventions Include parents and children Policies/rules set against bullying Encourage a safe environment Working in the community Engage coaches, mental health professionals, faith organizations, and businesses to work together

2008: House Bill 325 Bullying & Hazing

Representative Carol Moss and Senator Jon Greiner Provisions:
Prohibits bullying or hazing, retaliation for reporting, or

assisting in the investigation of, bullying or hazing and making a false report of bullying or hazing; Required local school boards and local charter boards to adopt a policy on or before 9/1/09 for reporting and responding to bullying, hazing, or retaliation Required the State Board of Education to develop, on or before 9/1/08, a model policy on bullying, hazing, or retaliation; and Provides for training and education regarding, and the prevention of, bullying, hazing, or retaliation

2008: House Bill 325 Bullying & Hazing

Part 1: General Provisions Definitions of bullying and hazing Part 2: Prohibitions No school employee or student may engage in bullying anywhere

Part 3: School Policy Developed with input from students, parents, teachers, administrators, staff, law enforcement Provide student protection regardless of legal status Include policy in handbooks and on State Board of Education website
Part 4: Miscellaneous School board must provide training and education to employees

Sources
American Academy of Pediatrics

www.aap.org
Healthychildren.org

www.stopbullying.gov
Moss, C., Greiner, J. Bullying and Hazing. House Bill 325.

2008 General Session. http://le.utah.gov/~2008/htmdoc/hbillhtm/hb0325s01.htm