Bullying and Harassment Identification and Prevention East Allen County Schools Student Training

1. Bullying and Harassment Identification and PreventionEast Allen County Schools Student Training

2. 6out of 10 American teenagers witness bullying in school once a day • Bullying affects nearly 1in 3American school children in grades 6through 10 • 83% of girls and 79% of boys report experiencing harassment Source: www.nea.org

3. Bullying Overview & Terminology

4. Bullying Prevention & the Law • Bullying is defined for Indiana schools in HEA 1423 • IC 20-33-8-0.2 – “Bullying” means: • Overt (intentional) unwanted, repeated acts or gestures including: • Verbal or Written communication, or imagestransmitted in any manner (including digitally or electronically) • Physical acts committed, aggression, or any other behaviorsthat are committed by a student or group of students against another student with the intent to • Harass, ridicule, humiliate, intimidate, or harm the targeted student and • Create for the targeted student an objectively hostile school environment

5. Bullying Prevention & the Law (Cont.) • IC 20-33-8-0.2 (continued )- an “objectively hostile learning environment”: • places the targeted student in reasonable fear or harm to the to the targeted student’s person or property; • has a substantially detrimental effect on the targeted student’s physical or mental health; • has the effect of substantially interfering with the targeted student’s academic performance; OR • has the effect of substantially interfering with the targeted student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, and privileges provided by the school

6. Defining Bullying in Simple Terms Unwanted, aggressive behavior Real or perceived power imbalance Repeated or potential for repeated behavior

7. Terminology • Target: Student who has been bullied • Bully: Student who has been identified as exhibiting behavior that was determined to be bullying • Bystander: Student(s) who have observed another student being bullied

8. Types of Bullying • Physical • Verbal • Social/Relational • Electronic or Written Communication (“Cyberbullying”)

9. Physical Bullying Examples: • Hitting/Punching/Pushing • Tripping • Spitting • Breaking someone’s things • Blocking someone’s path • Throwing objects at someone

10. Verbal Bullying Examples: • Name calling • Mean comments • Mocking • Making fun of you • Insults related to race, disability, gender, sexual orientation • Negative comments about the way you look, dress or act

11. Social/Relational Bullying Examples: • Spreading rumors • Gossiping • Leaving someone out on purpose • Ignoring • Threatening aggression against people, property or possessions (verbal or written) • Intimidating looks or gestures • Embarrassing someone in public

12. Electronic or Written Communication Bullying (Cyberbullying) • Inappropriate, derogatory, or threatening electronic messages • Notes • Instant Message • Text • Social network sites • Digital pictures • Website postings • Fake profiles

13. Bullying is NOT: • There are many types of aggressive behaviors that do not fit the definition of bullying. This does not mean that they are any less serious or do not require intervention. • Peer Conflict • Hazing • Gang Violence • Stalking • Friendship problems • Short-term argument • Fights

14. Bullying Prevention & Intervention for Students

15. Bullying or Harassment can occur anywhere: • in school • at home • in sports • on social media • on the bus • etc.

16. Prevention • Treat all people with respect and empathy • Foster a positive school climate • Do not ignore bullying or harassment /Do something • Report all bullying and harassment • Discretely • Snitching VS. Reporting

17. Prevention • Be a Buddy for: • Younger students • Quieter students • You have an opportunity to set a positive example: • In school • Away from school

18. What Bystanders can do to assist • Ask bully to stop • Don’t support the Bully: • Don’t join the bully • Don’t laugh or spread rumors • Don’t tease or gossip • Support targeted students • Privately w/kind words • Publicly (pick up books, walk with them, include them, etc.)

19. What Bystanders can do to assist • Report incidents to a trusted adult • Snitching VS. Reporting • Support the targeted students • Do not support the bully • Be assertive not aggressive • Report acts of bullying or harassment to a trusted adult

20. How Targets of Bullying or Harassment can help themselves • Ignore bullying behavior • Respond with humor • Be assertive not aggressive • Spend time in groups • Request bully or harasser to stop and walk away • Tell a teacher, guidance counselor, principal, parent, or other trusted adult • Get involved in extra curricular activities

21. The impact on Bullies • School Sanctions • Parental discipline • Criminal prosecution • Harassment • Intimidation • Disorderly Conduct • Battery • Criminal trespass • Computer Trespass

22. FYI • Intimidation is against the law, just like physical actions and threats • Bullying and harassment can be prosecuted • Athletic or academic status is not a protection • Bullying and harassment at school is taken seriously (Tier one or two consequences or referral to law enforcement)

25. Remember… It takes everyone working together to make your school a safe and supportive environment where every student feels welcome and ready to learn As a member of this school community, it’s your responsibility to: • Learn about bullying and harassment and how it is different than other behaviors • Report bullying or harassment to a trusted adult • Do your part to make your school a safe place!

26. Remember… When you see something, do something. Source: www.stopbullying.gov

27. Who is responsible for ensuring that your school is harassment free: • Principals, Assistant Principals, teachers, staff, and students • EVERYONE!