The School Safety Center

1. The School Safety Center Bullying 101

2. First of all… Not all negative, socially unacceptable behavior is “bullying”.

3. WA State HIB Definition

4. Definition of Bullying • Bullyingisunwanted, aggressive behavior • among school aged children … • that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. • The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. • Bullying may inflict harm or distress on the targeted youth including physical, psychological, social, or educational harm. http://www.stopbullying.gov/what-is-bullying

5. Components of the Definition Intentional Repeated Negative Power Imbalance Lack of Empathy

6. Types of Bullying • Different Types of Behaviors • Physical • Verbal • Relational • In addition, bullying can be: • Direct or Indirect • Related behaviors: • NB: Harassment & Intimidation

7. Conflict

8. Players – A Community Event The Community: A T

9. Cyberbullying = bullying viral speed no place safe distance “anonymity” loss of control even more hidden from adults

10. Hazing

11. Data

12. Impacts Students engaged in bullying: • Less engaged in school • Grade and test scores decline • Elevated risk for delinquency • 4 times more likely as peers to have multiple convictions. • Targets: • Higher rates of anxiety • Depression • Physical health problems • Poor academic performance • Impact into adulthood • Bystanders: • Have increased risk factors • Have increased depression and anxiety • Miss or skip school • Stress of fear

13. Legal Considerations Harassment-related student bullying & School liability: • Target is a member of a “protected class” defined under federal civil rights laws - include gender, race and disability • Harassment was based on the students’ membership in a protected class • Harassment was severe, pervasive and offensive • School had knowledge of the harassment • School was deliberately indifferent

14. The Nexus • The Nexus between on and off-campus behavior: • location & proximity school • time: hour & date • the effect on others • severity of activity & likely connection to student or staff safety • impact on overall environment and safety of the school.

15. Best Practice Overview • Focus on the social environment • Assess bullying • Garner staff and parent support • Form a group to coordinate the school’s activities 5. Train your staff

16. Best Practice Overview Interventions: • School-wide • Classroom • On-the-spot • Community

17. Social Norming

18. Avoid These! Doesn’t Work: No school-wide planning Lack of staff training Non ‘best practice’ programs One-shot ‘inoculations’ Scare tactics “Just say no” “bullycide” Zero tolerance policies Inconsistencies Words without actions Makes It Worse: Outside “experts” Peer mediation Just shake hands Suck it up Laugh it off Blaming the target Boys will be boys (or Girls will be ….) Not listening Not protecting targets Words without actions

19. Restorative Practices Restorative Practice Questions

20. Mike Donlin Program Supervisor, Bullying & Harassment Toolkit The School Safety Center http://www.k12.wa.us/SafetyCenter