Bullying Prevention

1. Bullying Prevention Bullying

2. Definition: A person is being bullied when he or she is exposed, repeatedly and over time, to negative actions on the part of one or more persons Imbalance of power Repeated actions Intentional Actions Unequal levels of affect Types: Physical aggression Social aggression Verbal aggression Intimidation Written aggression Sexual harassment Racial & cultural harassment What is Bullying?

4. Reasons why students bully others • To gain power • To gain popularity and attention • To act out problems from home • To copy what someone else does that they admire • They perceive it as fun • They have low self-esteem (sometimes)

5. Characteristics: Intimidation Control Humiliation Power domination Threats to one’s safety Tactics: Name calling Physical attacks Pushing Shoving Kicking Spitting Extortion (money, belongings) Defacing victim’s property Repeated physical attacks Inappropriate sexual behavior Boys vs. GirlsBoys

6. Characteristics: Social cruelty Manipulation Hurt feelings Subtle rejection/ostracism Character assassination Tactics: Name calling Isolating the victim Ethnic slurs Spreading false rumors Boys vs. GirlsGirls

7. Ha Ha So StrategiesVictims • Help: Seek assistance from an adult, friend, or peer • Assert Yourself: Make assertive statements to the bully addressing your feelings about the bullying behavior • Humor: Use humor to de-escalate a situation • Avoid: Walk away or avoid certain places in order to avoid a bullying situation • Self-Talk: Use positive self-talk to maintain positive self-esteem during a bullying situation • Own-it: “Own” the put-down or belittling comment in order to diffuse it.

8. Help! Victim Don’ts • Cry or act hurt • Lose temper • Escalate • Return the aggression • Get others to gang up on the bully • Tease back • Call the teaser names • Bring weapons to school

9. Bystanders • Most ignored and underused resource in school • 85% of the population • Become desensitized over time Why don’t they get involved? • Fear of retaliation • Don’t know what to do • Afraid they’ll make things worse • Worry about losing social status • Don’t believe that adults will help

10. Bystander Bystander • Request that the bully stop • Seek adult help if the bully does not stop • Speak up and/or offer support to the victim • Take the bully aside and ask him or her to “cool it”

11. Tattling vs. Telling

12. The Bully Fights Theft Vandalism Drunkenness Bullies also 5 to 6 times more likely to have serious criminal records by young adulthood The Victim Experience physical and psychological damage Cut school for fear of being bullied Experience depression, poor self-esteem, and other mental health problems as adults Fear of using school property (bus, restrooms, and locker rooms) Drop out of school Change schools Attempt suicide Seek revenge Consequences of Bullying

13. Consequences of Bullying The Bystander • Fear of association with victim(s) may bring bullying their way • Learn that bullying is a way to gain prestige and attention • Fear reporting bullying incidents because they may be labeled a “snitch,” “tattler,” or “informer” • Experience feelings of guilt and of helplessness for not assisting the victim

14. Take a stand • Stop rumors • Don’t pass on a hurtful note • Speak up to a bully: “We don’t do that here” • Ask someone new to join you at lunch • Say “hi” to a new student or someone you don’t know very well • Include someone new in one of your activities • Join up with someone who is being bothered and take them out of the situation • Let adults know when someone needs help

15. Bullying is when a person is exposed, repeatedly to negative actions; an imbalance of power. A) True B) False

16. A difference between normal conflict and bullying is: A) Bullying causes a strong emotional reaction on behalf of the victim B) Bullying is accidental C) Bullying happens occasionally D) Bullying does not seek power or attention

17. Reasons students bully include all of the following except: A) To gain power B) To gain popularity C) To be different from others D) They perceive it as fun

18. Which of the following is a characteristic of a girl bully? A) Intimidation B) Humiliation C) Social cruelty D) Power domination

19. The Ha Ha So Strategies include all of the following except: A) Help B) Assert Yourself C) Humor D) Self-defense

20. Bystanders do not get involved in bullying situations because: A) Don’t believe that adults will help B) Believe that adults will help C) Fear that the victim will be mad at them D) Believe that the victim knows what to do

21. The difference between tattling and telling is: A) Telling: The behavior is purposeful B) Telling: The purpose is to get someone in trouble C) Telling: The behavior is accidental D) Tattling: The behavior is done on purpose

22. Consequences of bullying include all of the following except: A) Bullies are more likely to have criminal records by young adulthood B) Victims cut school for fear of being bullied C) Victims experience only physical damage D) Bystanders fear association with victims may bring bullying their way

23. All of the following are examples of ways you can take a stand except: A) Stop spreading false statements B) Ask the bully to join you at lunch C) Don’t pass on a hurtful note D) Let adults know when someone needs help