Bullying Solutions:Define it and Prevent it

Toula A. SiderisThe Joseph Sears School

Common Anti-bullying Laws• School Policies (definition and description, updated biennially, reporting procedures, clear procedures)• Parent Education (parent handbook should include plan)• Professional Development for Teachers (Cyberbullying, annual

training on prevention, student risk factors)• Student Education (student handbook, research based, age appropriate, taught in each grade)

Define Bullying

• Targeted• Ongoing• Harassment• Imbalance of power

Bullying vs. ConflictBullying is:• A repeated form of mistreatment where the victim cannot defend himself• An imbalance of power – usually one person is either bigger or older than the other or

has a higher social standing (is more popular) and uses this against the other person• Usually repeated acts of harassment but doesn’t have to be• A form of abuse

Conflict is:• All parties have equal power to solve the problem• All parties have an equal interest in the outcome• Children are of equal size, age or status• Conflict is not the same repeated encounter – it usually happens once.• A conflict can be resolved by talking or working things out together or with help from

an adult.

Types of Bullying

• Verbal Bullying: name calling, gossiping, threatening, making fun of others, eye rolling, taunting

• Mental Bullying: exclusion, rumor spreading, ignoring, coercing,

• Physical Bullying: hitting, punching, tripping, ignoring, pushing,

• Cyber bullying: bullying through use of cell phones, text messages, emails, Internet sites

Tips for standing up to bullies.

• Take a deep breath and let your air out slowly.• Sit or stand tall, head up and keep hands at

your side.• Maintain eye contact.• Avoid name calling, finger pointing and

making threats.• Speak in a calm voice and be brief and direct.

Bystander vs. Upstander

A person or group of people who witness injustice but do nothing to try to stop it.

A person or group of people who take positive action, particularly when the easiest and most acceptable thing to do is nothing.

Activities

• Survey Students and Teachers• Buddy Bench• Bullying “What Would You Do?”• Class Meeting• Crumpled paper• “Pounding Nails”• Empathy Training• Character Trait Toss

Circle of Friends

Second Step Bullying Prevention

Many studies have shown thatchildren who are bullied at school

and in the community, often grow upto be adult victims of bullying. Let’s break the bullying cycle.