Bullying How Bullying impacts our friends, family and classmates.

SERVE  Social  Emotional  Recreational  Vocational  Education

The Challenge and Facts of Bullying  Every year, 3 million young people in the United States fall victim to crimes at school..  An estimated 1.6 million students miss school each day due to fear of attack or intimidation from peers.  Over two-thirds of students believe that schools respond poorly to bullying, with a high percentage of students believing that adult help is infrequent and ineffective. (you must talk to teachers, counselors or administrators.)  Membership in either bully or victim groups is associated with school drop out, poor psychosocial adjustment, criminal activity and other negative long-term consequences.

What is Bullying?  Definition: Bullying is a pattern of deliberate, negative, hurtful, aggressive acts that work to shift the balance of physical, emotional or social power and they may cause injury, discomfort, fear, and suffering to the victim  Types Physical violence and attacks Verbal taunts, name-calling, and put downs Threats and intimidation Extortion or stealing of money/possessions Exclusion from peer group Ethnically/Gender based abuse/put downs

Characteristics  Bully Sociable Assertive Popular among peers Aggressive  Victim Submissive Withdrawn Cooperative Rejected among peers

Boys victims of bullying VS. Girls victims of bullying. Boys:  Characteristics: Intimidation Control Humiliation Power domination Threats to one’s safety  Tactics Name calling Physical attacks  Pushing  Shoving  Kicking  Spitting Extortion (money/possessions) Defacing victim’s property Repeated physical attacks Inappropriate sexual behavior

Boys victims of bullying VS. Girls victims of bullying. Girls  Characteristics: Social cruelty Manipulation Hurt feeling Subtle rejection  Tactics Name calling Isolating the victim Ethnic slurs spreading false rumors

Why do some children and adolescents become bullies?  Family Factors: The frequency and severity of bullying is related to the amount of adult supervision that children receive, bullying behavior is reinforced when it has no or inconsistent consequences  School Factors: Because school personnel are finding themselves more and more overwhelmed with the bullying situation, they are unable to manage it all as well their increasingly demanding job duties as educators. (Educators= campus supervisors, teachers, aides, nurses, counselors, bus drivers etc.)  Peer Group Factors: Children may interact in a school or neighborhood peer group that advocates, supports or promotes bullying behavior. Some children may support bully in peers in an effort to “fit in,” even though they may be uncomfortable with the behavior.

Why do some children and adolescents become victims?  Victims signal to others that they are insecure, primarily passive and will not retaliate if they are attacked. Consequently, bullies often target children who complain, appear physically or emotionally weak and seek attention from peers.  Studies show that victims have a higher prevalence of overprotective parents or school personnel; as a result, they often fail to develop their own coping skills.  Many victims link them for approval; even being rejected, some continue to make ineffective attempts to interact with the victimizer.

How can bullying lead to violence  Bullies have a lack of respect for others’ basic human rights; they are more likely to resort to violence to solve problems without worry of the potential implications.  Both bullies and victims show higher rates of fighting than their peers, this happens because they want to fit-in.  Recent school shootings show how victims’ frustration with bullying can turn into vengeful violence

Consequences of Bulling (victims & bullies)  The Bully Fights Theft Vandalism  Drunkenness They are 5 to 6 times more likely to have serious criminal records by young adulthood  The Victim Physical harm Depression, poor self- esteem, and other mental health problems as adults Fear of using school property (bus, restrooms, and locker rooms) Drop out of school/change school Attempt suicide Seek revenge 71% of school shooters were victims of bullying

Helpful Suggestions  Victim Leave the situation Ignore the bully’s behavior (ignore them) Request that the bully stop then walk away Protect self by talking to adults Use sense of humor Spend time in groups practice, what to say in front of a mirror or friends  Bystander Request that the bully stop Seek adult help if he bully does not stop Speak up and/or offer support to the victim Take the bully aside and ask him or her to “cool it”