Identify, Cope, Prevent
What is Bullying?
Deliberately and repeatedly hurting others with words or actions.
Physical bullying increases in elementary school, peaks in middle school and declines in high school. Verbal abuse, on the other hand, remains constant.
Forms of Bullying
Physical Hitting, kicking, pinching,
poking, pushing, tripping, hair pulling, etc.
Emotional Rejecting, terrorizing,
extorting, humiliating, rating/ranking, intimidation, manipulating, ostracizing, peer pressure.
Social Spreading rumors, graffiti and
defacing property. Verbal
Name calling, teasing, mocking, insults, offensive and threatening language.
Cyber-bullying Occurs via the Internet,
mobile phones or other cyber technology. (1) sending malicious text, e-mail, or instant messages (2) posting defamatory pictures or messages about others in blogs or on websites (3) using someone else’s user name to spread rumors or lies about someone.
Sexual Exhibitionism, voyeurism,
sexual propositioning, sexual harassment, sexual abuse, etc.
3 Components of Bullying: Behavior
Aggressive behavior with the intent of doing harm to another or a group.
Frequency Occurs repeatedly over
a long period of time. Targets
Victim(s) is/are less powerful (physically and/or psychologically weaker).
Both, bullies and chronic victims of
bullying have problems throughout their lives developing friendships, and are
often loners.
The Journal of the American Medical Association
Intent of Bullying
Mental/Emotional Undermine
Political Intimidate
Physical Terrorize
Why Do Bullies Bully?
BULLIES OFTEN…
Seek social recognition
Supported by friends or peer group
Lose moral compass Desire power and/or
dominance Fascinated by
violence Experience academic
failure Have high self-esteem
BULLIES MAY EVEN…
Lack consistent discipline or monitoring in home environment,
Live in punitive atmosphere,
Witness aggression within home,
Lack attentive or loving home environment.
Live in single-parent families.
Cause and Effect
“Whats been up with u”“U’ll see soon!”
“every1 will be happy if u died”“drink bleach”“go die”
Harassment and bullying have been linked to 75% of school shooting incidents.
Approximately 160,000 teens skip school every day because of bullying.
Consequences
After the suicide of 12 year old Rebecca Sedwick, two suspects, ages 12 and 14, were charged with felony aggravated stalking.
“In the [Phoebe] Prince case, two boys and four girls, ages 16 to 18, face a different mix of felony charges that include statutory rape, violation of civil rights with bodily injury, harassment, stalking and disturbing a school assembly.”
Identify Form of Bullying
STORY A
Anna arrives at a new school. She doesn’t know anybody. Her teacher asks two girls in her class to play with her at recess. But when Anna tries to talk to them, they pretend they can’t hear her. Anna spends the rest of the recess hiding in the bathroom.
STORY B
Every Monday Kristy comes to school, she is met by a group of older boys who push her and take her lunch money. The only time the boys don’t do this is when Kristy manages to walk in the school gate with a group of friends. She is too afraid of the boys to tell an adult.
STORY A
Anna is experiencing emotional bullying.
How do you think Anna feels? Ostracized, rejected,
alone, low self-esteem?
STORY B
Kristy is experiencing physical and emotional bullying.
The boys repeatedly bully Kristy. Kristy feels intimidated and fears speaking out about the abuse.
How do you think Kristy feels? Terrorized, humiliated,
intimidated, powerless?
What Can You Do?
VICTIM
Walk away. Tell an adult. Speak loudly and
firmly. Stay calm and look
confident.
Remember: Bullies target weaker individuals.
BYSTANDER
Speak up. Tell someone.
Guide victim away from bully.
Avoid becoming an audience.
Do not laugh at or instigate bullying.
BYSTANDER EFFECT
Bystander Effect
Bystander Effect - People watch girl being abducted
Who Can Help You?
TeachersCounselorsParentsFriendsChild Help
Lines
“Kid’s Help Phone”
1-800-668-6868
About 17% of all calls to child help lines are made by children who are
being bullied.
How Can We Prevent Bullying?Support from Community, Schools, Youth and Parents
Prevent Educate
Inform youth and adults of severity of bullying
Build healthy relationships “The reality is we’re not
talking to kids early enough and long enough about bullying and healthy relationships.” Bullying expert, Dorothy Espelage
Develop high self-esteem Encourage confidence,
tolerance, and respect.
Become aware Identify bullies and
victims Hold regular
meetings Teachers, parents,
studentsUp to 40% of children think teachers have no clue that bullying is happening within the school.
Prevent Create open and
safe environment Assign student
groups Do not allow
students to choose work groups. This creates exclusion.
Assigned seating Be approachable
Do not dismiss student’s concerns.
Validate youth complaints and confessions
Involve parents Be consistent
Expect consequences.
By the average age of 23 children who had been
bullied in school were found to still suffer from
depression and stress related illnesses.
"11 Facts About Bullying." Do Something. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Dec. 2013.
"Bullies on Bullying: Why We Do It." LiveScience.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2013.
Elworthy, Scilla. "Fighting with Non-violence." Speech. Tedx Exeter. Apr. 2012. Ted.com. Web. 3 Dec. 2013.
Koyczan, Shane. "To This Day...for the Bullied and Beautiful." Speech. Ted X. Feb. 2013. Web.
Newcomb, Alyssa. "Teen Charged in Fatal Cyberbullying Case of Rebecca Sedwick to Remain in Jail." ABC News. ABC News Network, 15 Oct. 2013. Web. 01 Dec. 2013.
"Sticks and Stones." Connect With Kids (2005): n. pag. Print.Journal Article
Webley, Kayla. "Teens Who Admitted to Bullying Phoebe Prince Sentences." Time Magazine. N.p., 5 May 2011. Web. 02 Dec. 2013.