Beyond the Hurt UNB Presentation

Types of bullying VERBAL-insults such as you’re an “idiot”, “loser”, “nerd”, etc. SOCIAL-gossip, exclusion, teasing CYBER-influence of internet (texting, social media, harassment) PHYSICAL-using force MENTAL/EMOTIONAL-includes elements of all the other types of bullying

Most common types of bullying at gsms SOCIAL, VERBAL AND CYBER. Ryan Halligan, who was a 13 year old student, faced all three of these forms of bullying. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1LG9NymhTE Let’s help to make sure this doesn’t happen to anyone else.

Bullying facts Bullying is repeated, unwanted and intentional. At one time or another, we have all been a bully, a victim and a bystander. There is an incident of bullying every seven minutes in Canadian schools. Youth are successful about 57% of the time when they stand up and help the person being targeted. Cyber bullying is very common in both middle and high schools.

Gsms student survey Earlier this year, the Beyond the Hurt group surveyed about 400 students on 3 questions: How often would you say that you report bullying when you see it at school? How comfortable are you about talking to a teacher about bullying? Why do you think students are sometimes uncomfortable about reporting bullying incidents to teachers?

RESULTS Our Survey Found That….. 62% of students said that they reported bullying sometimes or very little (as opposed to most of the time). 78% said that they were either somewhat comfortable, not very comfortable or very uncomfortable when talking to teachers about a bullying situation.

why some students don’t report bullying “They don’t want to be unpopular” “Because they’re embarrassed, or seem like a snitch and the bully will find out and keep doing it!” “The bully might hurt them even more if they tell.” “I might get in trouble with the bully or teacher.” “I am afraid of getting involved.”

Ways for teachers to Help: Contact parents to let them know about the situation. Loss of privileges for the bully (downtown, dances, etc.) Go to students first (if you suspect they may be getting bullied) instead of students coming to you first. They often will feel more comfortable this way. Make sure kids are told that “I’m just joking” is not acceptable. Reassure the student that we have all been a victim, bystander and a bully and let them know you have been in their situation before! Idea of bully/victim workshops for repeat offenders.

Some ideas we proposed to the government To put in place an alternate educational facility for students who are suspended for bullying that students must go to in order to receive anti- bullying training (videos, talks with other students, counsellors, etc.) instead of staying at home. To make changes to Policy 703 (Safe Schools) that makes the language of the document more student friendly. To have an anti-bullying youth conference before the end of this school year where students from around the province can talk about bullying issues together in one room.

SOME OF THE WAYS we help We’reHere ToHelp Facebook page. Currently we have about 370 students on this page and the page focuses on youth helping youth in terms of bullying related matters. Skyping conferences-We have hosted anti-bullying video conferences with other schools throughout the world, where students get to share how their schools (and how they personally) address bullying. GSMS Beyond the Hurt web page-Shares personal stories, video diaries, articles and other information on bullying. Neighbourhood Watch-Beyond the Hurt students meet with homeroom reps each week to talk about any bullying going on in their parts of the school. BTH Classroom Presentations-We do anti-bullying presentations at all grade levels (6- 8) and to all homerooms.

LET’S TURN THINGS AROUND TOGETHER ADMINISTRATORS, TEACHERS, STUDENTS, PARENTS………….EVERYONE NEEDS TO PLAY A ROLE IN TURNING THINGS AROUND. BELOW IS A STUDENT WHO IS DOING HER PART. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iSlok6muY0 NOW ASK YOURSELF, WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Final thoughts? Do any of you have any final thoughts/questions? Thank you for your time and for your interest in our anti- bullying program.