Your School Your Presenters

1. Best Practices for Bullying Prevention help for parents… Your School Your Presenters Slides Courtesy of the Kansas Bullying Prevention Program

2. What is bullying? Bullying is any ongoing physical orverbal mistreatment where there is: • an imbalance of power and • the victim (target) is exposed repeatedly to negative actions on the part of one or more other students. (Olweus 1986, 1991 and 1993) Slides Courtesy of the Kansas Bullying Prevention Program

3. Harassment defined • “Harassment is a course of conduct directed at a specific person that causes substantial emotional distress in such person and serves no legitimate purpose.” 18 USCA 1514(c)(1) Slides Courtesy of the Kansas Bullying Prevention Program

4. According to the National Association of School Psychologists, about one in seven school children — about five million kids — have either been a bully or a victim (target). 14% are bullies or victims (targets) now and then 9% are regularly victimized 7% bully others regularly 1.6% are both bullies and victims (targets) 65-70% are bystanders One student out of seven Slides Courtesy of the Kansas Bullying Prevention Program

5. Exposure to bullying on the rise • 60% of American Teenagers witness bullying at least once a day • 2001 – 37% witness bullying everyday Survey by Worthlin Worldwide for the National Crime Prevention Council Slides Courtesy of the Kansas Bullying Prevention Program

6. Locations where bullying occurs • Bullying more often takes place at school than on the way to and from home. • Bathrooms • Cafeteria • Halls • Schoolyard Slides Courtesy of the Kansas Bullying Prevention Program

7. Health consequences of bullying Fekkes Bullied Not bullied Headache 16% 6% Sleep problems 42% 23% Abdominal pain 17% 9% Feeling tense 20% 9% Anxiety 28% 10% Feeling unhappy 23% 5% Depression scale moderate indication 49% 16% strong indication 16% 2% Slides Courtesy of the Kansas Bullying Prevention Program

8. Why victims don’t report • Fear retaliation • Feel shame at not being able to stand up for themselves • Fear they won’t be believed • Don’t want to worry parents • No confidence that things will change • Advise from parents/teachers would make it worse • Fear the adult would tell the bully • Think that being a snitch would be worse Slides Courtesy of the Kansas Bullying Prevention Program

9. Attitude makes a difference • The attitude of teachers and parents toward bully/victim (target) problems plays an important role in the extent of the victimization at school. • “If you keep on doing what you have always done __ then you will keep on getting what you have always had.” Slides Courtesy of the Kansas Bullying Prevention Program

10. Victim G. Defender – Dislikes the bullying and tries to help the victim A. Bully A G B. Follower or henchman – may even carry out the acts F Social Culture B E C. Supporter, takes part in the bullying F. Passive Defender – dislikes the bullying but does not show open defense D C D. Passive Supporter – seems to like the bullying but does not take an active part E. Disengaged Onlooker Cycle of Bullying Slides Courtesy of the Kansas Bullying Prevention Program

11. Victim G. Defender – Helps the victim A. Bully A G F. Defender’s Supporter F Social Culture B. Follower – may not be as ready to act B E E. Possible Defender D C D. Passive Defender C. Disengaged Onlooker Breaking the Cycle Slides Courtesy of the Kansas Bullying Prevention Program

12. The passive victim (target) • The passive victim (target) seems to signal to others that they are insecure and worthless individuals who will not retaliate if they are attacked or insulted. Slides Courtesy of the Kansas Bullying Prevention Program

13. The provocative victim (target) • Provocative victims (targets) may be physically weaker than their peers (if they are boys) and have “body anxiety.” • May be hot-tempered and attempt to fight back when attacked or insulted. • May be hyperactive, restless, and possibly offensive because of irritating habits. • May be actively disliked by adults including the Teacher. • May themselves try to bully weaker students. Slides Courtesy of the Kansas Bullying Prevention Program

14. Characteristics of victims (targets) • Mental ability • Speech difficulties • Eye glasses • Color • Language • Height or weight • Hygiene • Clothing Slides Courtesy of the Kansas Bullying Prevention Program

15. Characteristics of children who bully • Children who bully tend to be very aggressive toward their peers • They are often aggressive toward adults, including teachers and parents. • They are characterized by impulsivity and a strong need to dominate others. • They usually have little anxiety and relatively good self esteem. Slides Courtesy of the Kansas Bullying Prevention Program

16. Characteristics of children who bully, cont. • Children who bully are of average popularity and often surrounded by two to three friends who support them • Popularity of bullying children decreases in upper grades • Children who bully have a strong need for power or dominance; they seem to enjoy being “in control” and need to subdue others Slides Courtesy of the Kansas Bullying Prevention Program

17. Ten Strategies for Effective Bullying Prevention What we can do at school… HRSA's National Bullying Prevention Campaign, 2004 Slides Courtesy of the Kansas Bullying Prevention Program

18. Effective Bullying Prevention Strategy #1 • Focus on the whole school environment HRSA's National Bullying Prevention Campaign, 2004 Slides Courtesy of the Kansas Bullying Prevention Program

19. Effective Bullying Prevention Strategy #2 • Assess bullying at your school HRSA's National Bullying Prevention Campaign, 2004 Slides Courtesy of the Kansas Bullying Prevention Program

20. Effective Bullying Prevention Strategy #3 • Garner staff/parent support HRSA's National Bullying Prevention Campaign, 2004 Slides Courtesy of the Kansas Bullying Prevention Program

21. Effective Bullying Prevention Strategy #4 • Form a group at school to coordinate bullying prevention/ intervention activities HRSA's National Bullying Prevention Campaign, 2004 Slides Courtesy of the Kansas Bullying Prevention Program

22. Effective Bullying Prevention Strategy #5 • Provide training for ALL staff members HRSA's National Bullying Prevention Campaign, 2004 Slides Courtesy of the Kansas Bullying Prevention Program

23. Effective Bullying Prevention Strategy #6 • Establish and enforce school rules and policies regarding bullying HRSA's National Bullying Prevention Campaign, 2004 Slides Courtesy of the Kansas Bullying Prevention Program

24. Effective Bullying Prevention Strategy #7 • Increase adult supervision in “hot spots” for bullying HRSA's National Bullying Prevention Campaign, 2004 Slides Courtesy of the Kansas Bullying Prevention Program

25. Effective Bullying Prevention Strategy #8 • Intervene consistently and appropriately in bullying incidents HRSA's National Bullying Prevention Campaign, 2004 Slides Courtesy of the Kansas Bullying Prevention Program

26. Effective Bullying Prevention Strategy #9 • Focus some classroom time on bullying prevention and intervention HRSA's National Bullying Prevention Campaign, 2004 Slides Courtesy of the Kansas Bullying Prevention Program

27. Effective Bullying Prevention • Strategy #9a Classroom Rules by Olweus • We will not bully other students. • We will help students who are bullied. • We will make it a point to include all students who are easily left out. • When we know someone is being bullied, we will tell a teacher or an adult at home. Slides Courtesy of the Kansas Bullying Prevention Program

28. Effective Bullying Prevention Strategy #10 • Continue efforts over time HRSA's National Bullying Prevention Campaign, 2004 Slides Courtesy of the Kansas Bullying Prevention Program

29. Parents need to listen to their children... What parents can do at home… because they often will hear things they don’t want to hear - in order to hear the things that they need to hear. Slides Courtesy of the Kansas Bullying Prevention Program

30. How parents can help • Keep the lines of communication open • Watch for signs and symptoms of bullying • Take your child’s complaints seriously • Keep a written record • Contact school administration if you suspect your child is being bullied • Teach your child to respond assertively Slides Courtesy of the Kansas Bullying Prevention Program

31. How can parents help the victim? • Help your child recruit a friend. Help them develop effective social and interpersonal skills. • Don’t give labels to your child that suggest inadequacy. • Help your child develop success. Involve them in activities such as scouts, sports, church, etc. • Recognize a physically younger, smaller and weaker child may be prone to bullying. Look for signs of body anxiety—the fear of being hurt. • Help your child learn skills for gaining success and acceptance. Slides Courtesy of the Kansas Bullying Prevention Program

32. Helping the victim combat bullying violence • Take an active role in your child’s life and promote positive activities for your child • Do not tell your kids to hit back • Don’t ask them what they did to the other child • Make sure you don’t bully your child Slides Courtesy of the Kansas Bullying Prevention Program

33. How can parents help redirect bullying behaviors? • Watch for signs of bullying. • Don’t allow your child to control others through verbal threats and physical actions. • Help your child develop empathy for the problems of the victim (target). • Apply clear, consistent, escalating consequences for repetitive aggressive behaviors. • Provide anger management counseling for your child if needed. • Don’t tolerate revengeful attitudes. • Don’t allow your child to have contact with aggressive groups. Slides Courtesy of the Kansas Bullying Prevention Program

34. How can parents redirect bullying? • Limit your child’s exposure to models of aggressive behavior such as violent television, movies and video games. • As a parent, be a good role model for constructively solving problems. • As a parent, be a good role model for getting along with others. • As a parent, help your child develop a healthy physical image. • Watch for the emergence of feelings of power and control. • As a parent, know the whereabouts of your child. • As a parent, protect your child from physical and emotional abuse at home. Slides Courtesy of the Kansas Bullying Prevention Program

35. How can parents motivate bystanders? Approximately 65% to 70% of students just watch bullying happen—they are bystanders. Teach them that they can: • learn how to distract the students who bully • support the person who is being bullied privately • support the person who is being bullied openly • do not feed into the bullying behavior Slides Courtesy of the Kansas Bullying Prevention Program

36. Summary • Bullying can best be tackled with a school-wide program. To succeed we must have all the adults working together, parents, teachers, bus drivers—everyone. • To recognize there is a problem is the first step __ to do something about it requires commitment. • “Easy to say __ hard to do.” • Be part of the solution, get involved. Slides Courtesy of the Kansas Bullying Prevention Program