Scottish Guidance Association 7 th March 2015 Bullying –Re-framing our responses Lorraine Glass, Partnership Manager respectme Scotland’s Anti-Bullying Service

Bullying and definitions – some critical reflection… Does the behaviour need to be persistent? Does there need to be intent? Bullying as a relationship Bullying is behaviour and impact – never one on its own

‘ Bullying takes something away from me’ Bullying is not about just any kind of injury, nor just any negative impact. It involves a particular kind of harm. It is aimed at engendering a kind of helplessness, an inability to act, to do anything. It is an assault on a person’s agency. Sercombe and Donnelly (2012) Agency = where we retain the capacity to refuse to accept the behaviour, and can take effective action.

What do we mean by bullying? Bullying is behaviour that impacts on a person’s capacity to feel in control of themselves Bullying makes people feel hurt, frightened and left out This behaviour may not be repeated but the threat can be sustained Bullying is about impact and behavior This happens face to face and on-line

How this reframes responses and interventions If I lose something, how do I get it back? Interventions must address this Listening to what someone wants to happen Behaviour is changed by describing behaviour and impact – not labelling

“What can I Do?” Involve young people in what happens –bullying is about relationships – utilise these Make sure you have a shared understanding of unacceptable behaviour Make sure everyone knows they have a responsibility to notice bullying and respond Are the boundaries clear in my school/club? Do young people think it is a safe place? Ask them What are the options they have when being bullied? – no one-size fits all Be prepared to address prejudiced attitudes

How to build resilience Promote positive relationships Teach how to navigate relationships Involve children and young people Give them a voice Role model responses Provide support

Survey results 8 Over 8,000 children and young people took part All 32 local authorities 30% of children surveyed told us they had been bullied In the last year

Where did the bullying take place? 9 Of the individual incidents of bullying reported by young people. 60% were offline, 19% were online, and 21% were both online and offline.

What do you do online?

Key messages to take away… Mobile technology and social media are entirely woven into every day life – it is a social activity Most young people knew who the person was who bullied them online (92%) The behaviour and impact is on/by people – it is not the technology Effective intervention is made when we address risks as a whole Lack of knowledge on how young people use social media to communicate is a barrier 11

Many thanks