BULLYING: a “0” TOLERANCE POLICY PRC Workshop 1 Tuesday 24 November 2009 PRC Workshop 1 Tuesday 24 November 2009

TUNING IN

CONNECT - PAST Before the April 1999 Columbine shootings, bullying was considered a normal part of growing up

CONNECT - FUTURE WARNING from the American Medical Association (2002) bullying is a public-health issue with long-term mental-health consequences for both bullies and their victims WARNING from the American Medical Association (2002) bullying is a public-health issue with long-term mental-health consequences for both bullies and their victims

CONNECT - FUTURE Serious lasting effects student being bullied grades, absenteeism (-) social & emotional development suicide Serious lasting effects student being bullied grades, absenteeism (-) social & emotional development suicide

DR. MARK DOMBECK “It is not necessary to be physically harmed in order to suffer lasting harm. ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never harm me’ is more or less backwards. For the most part, physical damage sustained in a fist fight heals readily... What is far more difficult to mend is the primary wound that bullying victims suffer which is damage to their self-concepts; to their identities. Bullying is an attempt to instill fear and self-loathing. Being the repetitive target of bullying damages your ability to view yourself as a desirable, capable and effective individual.”

CONNECT - FUTURE Serious lasting effects bully 4 X more likely to engage in criminal activity by age 24 < social skills substance abuse Serious lasting effects bully 4 X more likely to engage in criminal activity by age 24 < social skills substance abuse

BIG PICTURE Bullying is a complex issue Students need ongoing education to develop skills & strategies to IDENTIFY, COPE with, and PREVENT bullying Bullying is a complex issue Students need ongoing education to develop skills & strategies to IDENTIFY, COPE with, and PREVENT bullying

GOALS Define bullying List types of bullying List strategies to reduce bullying Define bullying List types of bullying List strategies to reduce bullying

INFORMATION

Myth-busters! Bullying is simply a part of growing up. Bullying is nothing more than conflict blown out of proportion. Bullies suffer from low self esteem and pick on others to make themselves feel important. Bullies are looking for attention - ignore them and the bullying will stop. Bullying is simply a part of growing up. Bullying is nothing more than conflict blown out of proportion. Bullies suffer from low self esteem and pick on others to make themselves feel important. Bullies are looking for attention - ignore them and the bullying will stop..

What is teasing? Pokes fun in a lighthearted manner. Isn’t intended to hurt. Maintains the basic dignity of everyone. Teaser and teased can swap roles with ease. Is discontinued when person teased objects. Pokes fun in a lighthearted manner. Isn’t intended to hurt. Maintains the basic dignity of everyone. Teaser and teased can swap roles with ease. Is discontinued when person teased objects.

What is taunting? Based on an imbalance of power, and is one- sided. is intended to harm. Humiliating, cruel,bigoted comments disguised as humour. Induces fear. Continues even in the face of objection or hurt feelings. Based on an imbalance of power, and is one- sided. is intended to harm. Humiliating, cruel,bigoted comments disguised as humour. Induces fear. Continues even in the face of objection or hurt feelings.

Teasing is not Taunting!

Barbara Colorosa’s definition of bullying Conscious, willful and deliberate hostile activity intended to: HARM INDUCE FEAR CREATE TERROR Conscious, willful and deliberate hostile activity intended to: HARM INDUCE FEAR CREATE TERROR

The 4 Markers of Bullying... Imbalance of power Intent to harm Threat of further aggression Terror Imbalance of power Intent to harm Threat of further aggression Terror

What bullying is not... sibling rivalry conflict once off acts of impulsive aggression sibling rivalry conflict once off acts of impulsive aggression

KINDS OF BULLYING

Warning signs... school withdrawal stealing money mood swings acts out of character school withdrawal stealing money mood swings acts out of character

Bully-proof your child! Groups of friends. Voice objections. Assertiveness. Humour Self-defense. Groups of friends. Voice objections. Assertiveness. Humour Self-defense.

Is there a bully in the house? Intervene with discipline. create opportunities to “do good.” Nurture empathy. Teach friendship skills. Engage in constructive, entertaining and energizing activities. Intervene with discipline. create opportunities to “do good.” Nurture empathy. Teach friendship skills. Engage in constructive, entertaining and energizing activities.

Sticks & Stones...

CYBERBULLYING Definition Cyberbullying is the use of ICT, (Information Communications Technology, especially mobile phones and the internet), to deliberately upset someone else.

New Characteristics 24/7 Audience - large and fast Anonymity Age, size unimportant Sometimes unintentional 24/7 Audience - large and fast Anonymity Age, size unimportant Sometimes unintentional

Proactive Prevention Talk about it. Update and publicise policy Make reporting easier Promote “netiquette, e- safety, digital literacy” Talk about it. Update and publicise policy Make reporting easier Promote “netiquette, e- safety, digital literacy”

Response -School Support victim Investigate Work with bully Technology specific sanctions Support victim Investigate Work with bully Technology specific sanctions

Safety Advice - Students Think before you send Never give out password Learn to block Don’t retaliate Save the evidence Speak Up! Tell an adult. Think before you send Never give out password Learn to block Don’t retaliate Save the evidence Speak Up! Tell an adult.

Safety - Parents Be alert. Learn about the internet. Talk and understand. Use internet tools. Keep the evidence. Report it. Be alert. Learn about the internet. Talk and understand. Use internet tools. Keep the evidence. Report it.

ACTIVITY Think-Pair-Share What are 2 to 3 useful bits of information you learned today that can positively impact on your children? Think-Pair-Share What are 2 to 3 useful bits of information you learned today that can positively impact on your children?

QUESTIONS