NURTURING POSITIVE NURTURING POSITIVE POWER:POWER:

An Antidote to BullyingAn Antidote to Bullying

Lorna MartinLorna Martin

lormartin@gov.mb.calormartin@gov.mb.ca

What do we know about the What do we know about the Positive Power?Positive Power?

ContagiousContagious Relieves stressRelieves stress Self-fulfillingSelf-fulfilling Cost-effectiveCost-effective Supports an equal power baseSupports an equal power base Can be learned at all ages and Can be learned at all ages and

stagesstages

What do we know about Bullying?What do we know about Bullying?

Bullying involves unequal power and is Bullying involves unequal power and is anti-socialanti-social

Bullying and victimization do not occur Bullying and victimization do not occur in isolationin isolation

Interventions with the bully and/or Interventions with the bully and/or victim are necessary but not sufficient victim are necessary but not sufficient for changefor change

Bullying is societal and learnedBullying is societal and learned Change must be societal, systemic to Change must be societal, systemic to

be effectivebe effective

What do we know about school What do we know about school safety?safety?

Schools have critical incident plans, Schools have critical incident plans, tragic event protocols, and codes of tragic event protocols, and codes of conduct to assist them when safety is a conduct to assist them when safety is a concernconcern

Two rare tragedies (Columbine and Two rare tragedies (Columbine and Taber) have heightened awarenessTaber) have heightened awareness

Schools have strict supervision regimens, Schools have strict supervision regimens, causing the classroom to remain one of causing the classroom to remain one of the safest places for children and youth the safest places for children and youth

Mixed Messages on ViolenceMixed Messages on Violence

Children and youth are bombarded by Children and youth are bombarded by examples of violence and aggression that examples of violence and aggression that lead to success, status, and problem lead to success, status, and problem solving:solving: PoliticiansPoliticians MediaMedia TV, movies, video gamesTV, movies, video games WarWar Role-play gamesRole-play games Gangs Gangs

Mixed Messages on ViolenceMixed Messages on Violence

Although families are increasingly Although families are increasingly distressed by:distressed by: Violent language and explicit violent acts on Violent language and explicit violent acts on

television, movies, video gamestelevision, movies, video games Possible ‘desensitization’ of young people (and Possible ‘desensitization’ of young people (and

themselves) to acts that may lead to self-harm themselves) to acts that may lead to self-harm or harm to others; diminished empathy for or harm to others; diminished empathy for othersothers

Increased reports of gang-related activityIncreased reports of gang-related activity

There does not seem to be a concerted There does not seem to be a concerted effort to reduce the stressors.effort to reduce the stressors.

Changing Views on ViolenceChanging Views on Violence Society no longer tolerates domestic violence Society no longer tolerates domestic violence

and is beginning to have the same lack of and is beginning to have the same lack of tolerance for violence in communitiestolerance for violence in communities

Media accounts of societal violence and crime Media accounts of societal violence and crime cause a perception of increasing danger. cause a perception of increasing danger. Statistically, crime rates have decreased and Statistically, crime rates have decreased and levels of violence in society are stable.levels of violence in society are stable.

The school is part of a larger community and The school is part of a larger community and its students reflect the parents and its students reflect the parents and community in their beliefs, attitudes and community in their beliefs, attitudes and actions.actions.

What do we know about What do we know about Bullying Events?Bullying Events?

Most bullying incidents occur Most bullying incidents occur Immediately prior to school or after Immediately prior to school or after

schoolschool In situations without supervisionIn situations without supervision

Bullying can be direct or indirect:Bullying can be direct or indirect: Direct: face to face confrontationDirect: face to face confrontation Indirect: shunning, gossiping, malicious Indirect: shunning, gossiping, malicious

damage to reputation or friendsdamage to reputation or friends

Defining BullyingDefining Bullying

Bullying is a form of aggression in Bullying is a form of aggression in which there is an imbalance of power which there is an imbalance of power between the bully and the victim. between the bully and the victim. The key elements include:The key elements include: Power imbalancePower imbalance Bully’s intent to harmBully’s intent to harm Victim’s distressVictim’s distress Repeated over timeRepeated over time(Peplar & Craig, 1988)(Peplar & Craig, 1988)

Bullying versus HostilityBullying versus Hostility

When children and youth interact When children and youth interact negatively, the result is not negatively, the result is not necessarily bullying. For example,necessarily bullying. For example, One-time only name-calling, teasing, One-time only name-calling, teasing,

fighting, and gossiping are name-calling, fighting, and gossiping are name-calling, teasing, fighting, and gossiping (not teasing, fighting, and gossiping (not bullying).bullying).

When the negativity includes a power When the negativity includes a power imbalance and occurs repeatedly, imbalance and occurs repeatedly, bullying is considered.bullying is considered.

The spectrum of anti-social behavioursThe spectrum of anti-social behavioursMILD MODERATE SEVERE

PHYSICAL AGGRESSION

-Pushing-Shoving -Spitting

-Kicking-Hitting

-Defacing property-stealing

-Physical acts that are demeaning and humiliating, but not bodily harmful (e.g., depanting)-Locking in a closed or confined space

-Physical violence against family or friends

-Threatening with a weaponinflicting bodily harm

SOCIAL ALIENATION

-Gossiping-Embarrassing

-Setting up to look foolish-Spreading rumours

-Ethnic slurs-Setting up to take blame

-Publicly humiliating (e.g., revealing personal information)-Excluding from group-Social rejection

-Maliciously excluding-Manipulating social order to achieve rejection-Malicious rumour mongering

-Threatening with a weapon-Inflicting bodily harm

VERBAL AGGRESSION

-Mocking-Name calling-Dirty looks-Taunting

-Teasing about clothing or possessions

-Teasing about appearance

-Intimidating phone calls, e-mails or messaging

-Verbal or electronic threats of aggression against property or possessions

-Verbal or electronic threats of violence or inflicting bodily harm

INTIMIDATION

-Threatening to reveal personal information-Graffiti-Publicly challenging to do something

-Defacing property or clothing-Playing a dirty trick

-Taking possessions (e.g., lunch, clothing, toys)

-Extortion -Threats of using coercion against family or friends

-Coercion; threatening with a weapon

Bullying and Human DevelopmentBullying and Human Development

Young children who bully tend to engage in:Young children who bully tend to engage in: Pushing, shoving, calling names, teasing, isolatingPushing, shoving, calling names, teasing, isolating

Adolescents who bully tend to engage in:Adolescents who bully tend to engage in: Harassing, attacking in groups or through peers, Harassing, attacking in groups or through peers,

using sexual comments/gestures, fighting, using sexual comments/gestures, fighting, threatening/intimidating, using internet messaging to threatening/intimidating, using internet messaging to gossip, dating violence, emotional blackmailgossip, dating violence, emotional blackmail

Adults who bully tend to engage in:Adults who bully tend to engage in: Assault, domestic violence, child abuse, workplace Assault, domestic violence, child abuse, workplace

harassment, senior abuse, social aggressionharassment, senior abuse, social aggression

Extent of Bullying – the NegativesExtent of Bullying – the Negatives

Worldwide phenomenonWorldwide phenomenon Approximately 15% of school-aged Approximately 15% of school-aged

children and youth are either bullied children and youth are either bullied or initiate bullying (Olweus, 1993)or initiate bullying (Olweus, 1993)[9% victims/7% bullies][9% victims/7% bullies]

Extent of Bullying – the PositivesExtent of Bullying – the Positives

Worldwide attention to bullying has Worldwide attention to bullying has provided many programs, strategies, provided many programs, strategies, and protocols for reducing anti-social and protocols for reducing anti-social behavioursbehaviours

Approximately 85% of school-aged Approximately 85% of school-aged children and youth are neither bullied children and youth are neither bullied nor initiate bullying (Olweus, 1993)nor initiate bullying (Olweus, 1993)

The Context of BullyingThe Context of BullyingThree-tiered model of school discipline Three-tiered model of school discipline

and violence preventionand violence prevention

TOTAL POPULATION

AT-RISK STUDENTS: EARLY IDENTIFICATION & INTERVENTION

DISRUPTIVE STUDENTS: EFFECTIVE RESPONSES TO DISRUPTION

Skiba, Rausch & Ritter(2004)

Nurturing the PositivesNurturing the Positives

With such an overwhelming number of With such an overwhelming number of students with positive behaviours and students with positive behaviours and attitudes, schools:attitudes, schools: Create safe and caring environmentsCreate safe and caring environments Offer skill sessions on conflict resolution, Offer skill sessions on conflict resolution,

friendship, mediation, social responsibility friendship, mediation, social responsibility within daily activities and curricular outcomeswithin daily activities and curricular outcomes

Create opportunities for peer assistants, Create opportunities for peer assistants, volunteerismvolunteerism

Provide interventions for students having Provide interventions for students having difficulties in pro-social skillsdifficulties in pro-social skills

Where Bullies FlourishWhere Bullies Flourish

Places with: Places with: Minimal supervision of activitiesMinimal supervision of activities Harsh punishments for rule infractionsHarsh punishments for rule infractions Little or no acknowledgement of positive Little or no acknowledgement of positive

behaviourbehaviour Little or no affection or trustLittle or no affection or trust Weak or aggressive communication; problem Weak or aggressive communication; problem

solving through power, aggression, threat or solving through power, aggression, threat or intimidationintimidation

High employee turnover and absentee ratesHigh employee turnover and absentee rates Communities with little police or adult presenceCommunities with little police or adult presence

Where Bullies FlounderWhere Bullies Flounder

Places with:Places with: Logical consequences related to actionsLogical consequences related to actions Consistent, reasonable rules and disciplineConsistent, reasonable rules and discipline Discretion; the ability to learn from mistakesDiscretion; the ability to learn from mistakes Warm and accepting social climateWarm and accepting social climate Caring and supportive adults and young peopleCaring and supportive adults and young people Observable, appropriate, affectionate parental Observable, appropriate, affectionate parental

behaviourbehaviour Open discussion to solve problemsOpen discussion to solve problems Adult supervisionAdult supervision Gradual increase of responsibility based on Gradual increase of responsibility based on

behaviourbehaviour

Positive Signs – the Role of the Positive Signs – the Role of the FamilyFamily

Parents are becoming involved in Parents are becoming involved in school planning and decision makingschool planning and decision making

Families are taking advantage of Families are taking advantage of recreational and educational recreational and educational opportunities in the communityopportunities in the community

Parents are volunteering at schools Parents are volunteering at schools and becoming involved with their and becoming involved with their studentsstudents

Parents are attending parent sessions Parents are attending parent sessions and parent-teacher interviewsand parent-teacher interviews

Positive Signs – the Role of the Positive Signs – the Role of the SchoolSchool

Schools are addressing school climate in their Schools are addressing school climate in their annual and divisional planningannual and divisional planning

School counsellors, social workers, school School counsellors, social workers, school psychologists, resource teachers, classroom psychologists, resource teachers, classroom teachers and administrators are working as teachers and administrators are working as planning teams to address individual casesplanning teams to address individual cases

School codes of conduct are being revised in light School codes of conduct are being revised in light of safe schools legislation and the need for of safe schools legislation and the need for discretiondiscretion

Crisis intervention plans and threat assessment Crisis intervention plans and threat assessment protocols have been developed in preparation for protocols have been developed in preparation for unforeseen events that include violence unforeseen events that include violence

Parent education sessions are availableParent education sessions are available

Preventing ViolencePreventing Violence

BEGIN HERE…

To reduce and prevent violence…

NOT HERE!

SUICIDE

MURDER

RAPE

HOSTAGES

GANGS

HATE CRIMES

VANDALISM

WEAPONS

DRINKING & DRUGS

STEALING

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

FIGHTING

PUSHING

BULLYING

TRASH TALK

THREATS

INSULTS

PUT DOWNS

DISCOURTESY, DISRESPECT VIOLENT CRIME

VIOLENCE CONTINUUM

Victim Warning SignsVictim Warning Signs

MANY VICTIMS:MANY VICTIMS: Moody, sullen, withdrawnMoody, sullen, withdrawn DepressedDepressed Lose interest in school or group activitiesLose interest in school or group activities Lose appetite and have difficulty sleepingLose appetite and have difficulty sleeping Torn clothing, unexplained bruisesTorn clothing, unexplained bruises Refuse to attend school, group activities or Refuse to attend school, group activities or

specific location specific location Want to carry protectionWant to carry protection

Bully Warning SignsBully Warning Signs

MANY BULLIES:MANY BULLIES: Few long term friendsFew long term friends Angry, aggressive, avoidant, anti-socialAngry, aggressive, avoidant, anti-social Unkind to animals, to self, to othersUnkind to animals, to self, to others Bruised/scraped knuckles, broken school Bruised/scraped knuckles, broken school

equipmentequipment School and sports equipment used as weaponSchool and sports equipment used as weapon Secretive online messagingSecretive online messaging Lack empathy, responsibility, habitually blameLack empathy, responsibility, habitually blame Sense of urgency for control/dominationSense of urgency for control/domination Engage in violent role-play gamesEngage in violent role-play games Have been bulliedHave been bullied

Bystander Warning SignsBystander Warning Signs

Witnesses to bullying tend to:Witnesses to bullying tend to: Accelerate violent behaviour by creating Accelerate violent behaviour by creating

an audience when the bullying is an audience when the bullying is physicalphysical

Accelerate the bullying by gossiping Accelerate the bullying by gossiping when the bullying is emotionalwhen the bullying is emotional

Circle the ‘action’ and support the bullyCircle the ‘action’ and support the bully Avoid reporting the incidentAvoid reporting the incident Exaggerate events or downplay eventsExaggerate events or downplay events

Reducing BullyingReducing Bullying

KEY: Do not ignore bullying. It is not a KEY: Do not ignore bullying. It is not a “phase”.“phase”.

Schools, communities and families work Schools, communities and families work together to create opportunities for change.together to create opportunities for change.

School counsellors, psychologists and social School counsellors, psychologists and social workers are trained in addressing the needs workers are trained in addressing the needs of victims, bystanders and perpetrators.of victims, bystanders and perpetrators.

Teachers are trained in anti-bullying Teachers are trained in anti-bullying programs and responding to incidents.programs and responding to incidents.

Safe School Student CommitteesSafe School Student Committees Safe Community Parent GroupsSafe Community Parent Groups

Building Resilient School Building Resilient School EnvironmentsEnvironments

School-based programs:School-based programs: Positive Behaviour SupportPositive Behaviour Support Virtues ProjectVirtues Project RespectEdRespectEd Second StepSecond Step Lion’s QuestLion’s Quest Conflict ResolutionConflict Resolution Peer AssistantsPeer Assistants Conflict ManagersConflict Managers

School-based services:School-based services: Teacher interventionTeacher intervention Administrative Administrative

interventionintervention GuidanceGuidance CounsellingCounselling ReferralsReferrals

School-based School-based Protocols:Protocols: Code of conductCode of conduct Threat assessment Threat assessment

proceduresprocedures Emergency Emergency

preparedness preparedness proceduresprocedures

Counselling pre- and Counselling pre- and post-suspensionpost-suspension

Administrative Administrative discretiondiscretion

Attendance policiesAttendance policies In-school alternatives to In-school alternatives to

suspensionsuspension

Nurturing Positive Power Nurturing Positive Power in School Settingsin School Settings

PreventionPrevention Anger management sessionsAnger management sessions Conflict resolution in practiceConflict resolution in practice Interactive role modelling of pro-social Interactive role modelling of pro-social

behavioursbehaviours DisciplineDiscipline

Consistency and fairness (heightened security, Consistency and fairness (heightened security, zero tolerance and punitive discipline are not zero tolerance and punitive discipline are not effective in deterring violence – punishment effective in deterring violence – punishment alone does not change behaviour and can alone does not change behaviour and can increase misbehaviour – suspensions weaken increase misbehaviour – suspensions weaken students’ connections to schools and worsen students’ connections to schools and worsen academic performance)academic performance)

Nurturing Positive Power Nurturing Positive Power in School Settingsin School Settings

Environmental StrategiesEnvironmental Strategies Respectful behaviour is modelled and expectedRespectful behaviour is modelled and expected High levels of caring and academic High levels of caring and academic

expectationsexpectations Teachers know students individuallyTeachers know students individually Students actively engaged academicallyStudents actively engaged academically Pro-social approaches to teaching and learningPro-social approaches to teaching and learning Co-operative education practicesCo-operative education practices Good extracurricular activitiesGood extracurricular activities Recognition and respect for student’s diverse Recognition and respect for student’s diverse

backgroundsbackgrounds Mentoring, monitoring, follow-upMentoring, monitoring, follow-up Bullying incidents are addressed swiftlyBullying incidents are addressed swiftly

Nurturing Positive Power Nurturing Positive Power in Community Settingsin Community Settings

Community policingCommunity policing Citizens on patrolCitizens on patrol Block parentsBlock parents Home/School liaisonsHome/School liaisons Youth Justice CommitteeYouth Justice Committee Volunteer programVolunteer program Youth centre/drop in centreYouth centre/drop in centre Continuing education/parenting coursesContinuing education/parenting courses Non-competitive recreation opportunitiesNon-competitive recreation opportunities Supervised recreation facilitiesSupervised recreation facilities Safe sheltersSafe shelters

Nurturing Positive Power at HomeNurturing Positive Power at Home

Open dialogue; pro-social skill developmentOpen dialogue; pro-social skill development Caring supervision balanced with sense of Caring supervision balanced with sense of

privacyprivacy Appropriate consequences for misbehaviourAppropriate consequences for misbehaviour DiscretionDiscretion Sense of belongingness Sense of belongingness Autonomy for age/stage appropriate Autonomy for age/stage appropriate

decision-makingdecision-making Recognition for individual differences and Recognition for individual differences and

strengthsstrengths

RECAPPINGRECAPPING Bullying begins with anti-social behaviours Bullying begins with anti-social behaviours

such as discourtesy, disrespect and lack of such as discourtesy, disrespect and lack of empathyempathy

Bullying is learned and can be unlearnedBullying is learned and can be unlearned Bullying is negative power-related and can Bullying is negative power-related and can

therefore be reduced or eliminated through therefore be reduced or eliminated through systemic support for positive powersystemic support for positive power

Any form of bullying or violent behaviour is Any form of bullying or violent behaviour is distressing. Fortunately, incidents are few distressing. Fortunately, incidents are few and schools have programs, protocols, and and schools have programs, protocols, and trained personnel in place to address issues trained personnel in place to address issues and concerns.and concerns.

Together, communities, families and schools Together, communities, families and schools can make the world a safer, kinder place. can make the world a safer, kinder place.