Preventing Bullying Presented by; Pat Pinkham Safety & Loss Control

Why stop bullying? Bullying is a serious problem that can affect a student’s academic and social progress and can result in violence, mental health problems, and suicide.

“ Your children who have ridiculed me, who have chosen not to accept me, who have treated me like I am not worth their time, are dead” This statement was made in the suicide note left by Eric Harris, one of the two attackers at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado

Just How Large is the Problem? 250,000 physical attacks per month in schools 1/3 of students being afraid at school 1/4 of students state their education suffers 1/5 are truant at least 1 day per month because they fear for their safety Over 50% of students from the 5 th grade up are either the victim of cyberbullying, or know someone who is a victim..

Everyone can Relate Just about everyone can recall an experience of bullying as a; –Victim –Bystander –Bully

Bullying Occurs in Different Forms Emotional Social Physical Verbal Sexual Racial

What is bullying? The easiest way to understand bullying is through looking at these analogies: qSpouse abuse. qSexual harassment. All involve imbalance of power; in all these forms of abuse, the perpetrator blames the victim for the abuse. The victim may blame him or herself for the abuse.

Bullying’s Three Components Harm Unfair Match Repeated

What is bullying? Direct –Teasing –Taunting –Threatening –Hitting –Stealing In-direct –Spreading rumors –Social isolation

CyberBullying New Age Bullying –Uses electronic media, internet, text messaging, electronic photos and video, or websites –No face to face contact –Wide Distribution

How has society reacted to abuse? qThrough denial q“Kids will be kids” q“It’s not important;” q“He didn’t mean it.” qBy blaming the victim or asking the victim to solve the problem: q“You should wear different clothes;” q“He just does it because he knows it bothers you.” q“Why don’t you tell them that you don’t like it”

Characteristics of Bullies Need to feel power and be in control Derives satisfaction from inflicting injury or suffering on others Have little empathy for their victims Defend their actions by claiming that they were provoked by the victim

Characteristics of victims Insecure Cautious Low self-esteem May lack friends, or feel socially isolated Rarely defends themselves… –They are seen as “easy” targets

Effective Bullying Prevention “The program strives to develop a school environment characterized by: qFirm limits to unacceptable behavior; qNon-hostile, nonphysical negative consequences consistently applied in cases of...unacceptable behaviors; and qWhere adults act as authorities and positive role models.

Effective discipline qSpecific behavior expectations. qConsistent consequences: qInevitable qPredictable qEscalating qWork with Teachers and Administrators qEducate the parents

Support targets Consequences for aggression: inevitable, predictable, escalating Activate bystanders Bullying Prevention Safe and affirming school climate Positive feeling tone and modeling Time spent with young people Counsel bullies

Counseling aggressive youth We help students think about these questions after they know what their consequences are: qWhat did you do? qWhat was wrong with that? qWhat problem were you trying to solve? qHow will you solve that problem next time? qAs students reflect on their behavior they learn how their behavior affects others they find different ways to meet their needs.

Supporting targets: Bullying is a loss experience: qLoss of safety qLoss of self-esteem: q“They bully you, then you bully yourself” qLoss of belonging qLoss of control over own life.

How do we support youth who are experiencing losses? We protect from more losses, comfort them and help them not blame themselves for what has happened. We don’t tell them to pretend it doesn’t hurt

Activating bystanders We encourage youth to:  Speak up to bullies,  Ask adults for help,  And reach out as friends to isolated peers.

In other words… Bullying prevention interventions: Raise the cost of bullying by removing the bully’s power. Help aggressive youth change. Change the peer culture so everyone is included. And protect and support targets of bullying

Preventing CyberBullying Free Speech? Districts should require students and their parents to sign a contract –Gives the student the right to use school computers, and websites –Prohibits the use of school and personal electronic devices for inappropriate bully behavior –Students can be disciplined for breaking their contract…

QUESTIONS?