Prevalence More than 1 in 3 middle and high school students say they don’t feel safe at school. More than 1 in 3 middle and high school students say they don’t feel safe at school. More than 16% of U.S. school kids say that they have been bullied by another youngster during the current school term. More than 16% of U.S. school kids say that they have been bullied by another youngster during the current school term. 15% of absenteeism is believed to be due to avoidance of bullying. 15% of absenteeism is believed to be due to avoidance of bullying. 60% of former bullies have at least one criminal conviction by the age of % of former bullies have at least one criminal conviction by the age of 24.

10-20 % may be chronic victims % may be chronic victims. At all grade levels boys report being the victims of bullying more than girls. At all grade levels boys report being the victims of bullying more than girls. Bullying appears to occur most often in the 6 th through 8 th grades. (more subtle in H.S.) Bullying appears to occur most often in the 6 th through 8 th grades. (more subtle in H.S.) Between 15 and 25 children commit suicide every year in the U.S. because they are being bullied. Between 15 and 25 children commit suicide every year in the U.S. because they are being bullied. (T. McIntyre & A. Franks: Prevalence (cont.)

What I should do if I am Bullied? Avoid secluded or unmonitored areas in your school Avoid secluded or unmonitored areas in your school Make sure to not be alone in bathrooms and locker rooms Make sure to not be alone in bathrooms and locker rooms Sit near the front of the bus Sit near the front of the bus Don’t bring expensive things or money to school Don’t bring expensive things or money to school Don’t fight back- It could make it worse Don’t fight back- It could make it worse Try to not show anger or fear Try to not show anger or fear

What I should do if I am Bullied? Calmly tell the student to stop… or say nothing and walk away Calmly tell the student to stop… or say nothing and walk away Use humor- If a kid makes fun of your shirt say, “Yeah, I think it is kind of funny- looking, too.” Use humor- If a kid makes fun of your shirt say, “Yeah, I think it is kind of funny- looking, too.” Telling is not tattling- Tell a teacher you trust Telling is not tattling- Tell a teacher you trust Tell your parent(s) Tell your parent(s)

Possible Signs that your Child is Being Bullied Becomes reluctant or refuses to attend school Becomes reluctant or refuses to attend school Becomes increasingly withdrawn Becomes increasingly withdrawn Appears depressed or anxious Appears depressed or anxious Demonstrates increased rigidity or agitation Demonstrates increased rigidity or agitation Increased physical complaints, stomach ache/headaches Increased physical complaints, stomach ache/headaches Comes home with tattered clothing or missing possessions Comes home with tattered clothing or missing possessions

What Should I do if my Child is a Bully? Set standards of behavior, limits, and clear expectations for their child, in and out of school. Set standards of behavior, limits, and clear expectations for their child, in and out of school. Monitor their own behavior and aggression. Demonstrate behavior at home between adults that are not bullying or aggressive. Children copy parents' behaviors--good or bad. Monitor their own behavior and aggression. Demonstrate behavior at home between adults that are not bullying or aggressive. Children copy parents' behaviors--good or bad. Provide appropriate models of conflict resolution. Provide appropriate models of conflict resolution. Model empathetic behavior. Model empathetic behavior. Teach children to have respect for differences. Teach children to have respect for differences.