Bullying in Schools

How can bullying be defined?- treating others “abusively by means of force or

coercion” and “in an over-bearing or intimidating manner”

What is a bully?- a “person who is habitually cruel or overbearing,

especially to smaller or weaker people”

What forms can bullying take place in?

- Through: Coercion, Threats, Intimidation, Abuse, Social Isolation, Humiliation, and less direct forms (according to Kate Anton @ the YMCA Crisis Center in Enid, Oklahoma)

Bullying can be: *Physical*Verbal*Indirect*Cyberbullying

Types of Bullying and Percentages accounted for

*Physical- any physical contact that would hurt or injure a person - accounts for approx. 30.5% of bullying*Verbal- name calling or making offensive remarks -accounts for approx. 46.5% of bullying*Indirect- spreading of rumors -accounts for approx. 18.5% of bullying*Cyberbullying- occurs through the internet, cell phones, or social media -accounts for approx. 4% of bullying *****Females are more likely to use verbal/social methods for bullying while

males are more apt to use physical methods of bullying*****

Different Student Roles in Bullying!

• Non-participants- tend to avoid the situation• Bully Aides- stand & actively encourage the

situation • Bully Supporters- stand & laugh at the

situation and provide an audience• Bullies- commit act of “bullying”/ show no

empathy for victims and feel the need to dominate

Different Student Roles Cont.

• Defenders- actively intervene and console victim(s) *typically more females are defenders over males*

• Witnesses- “silent victims”/ are aware of bullying but try to avoid unless questioned

• Victims- the person being bullied 2 types: chronic- always targeted

acute- targeted for a specific reason

Where Bullying can Occur

• According to the National Center for Educational Studies, bullying is most common to occur in: classrooms, halls, stairways and outside on playgrounds!

-School personnel, in addition to teachers, are often present in these places (hopefully helping reduce the amount of bullying events)

Who is affected by Bullying?

• EVERYONE is affected by bullying!!!- when bullying occurs, even those who are not actually included in

the event can feel less safe!-Lerman reported that an est. 160,000 students, on any school day,

stay home in fear of being bullied!

• According to the NCES:- 1/3(32%) of middle & high school students are

physically bullied - Over 1/2(59%) are verbally bullied-Bullying increases in elementary school, peaks in middle, and decreases in high school!

Signs of Bullying• Government research has found certain factors to take in

consideration for who is likely to be bullied: - Race, Color, National Origin, Sex, Disability• Look for signs that may hint to a person being bullied:

- sudden shyness/retreats from activities, bruising, sudden emotional increase (ex: crying), head drooping, sudden lack of confidence, wetting of pants (severe cases due to fear when in contact w/ bully)• Look for signs that may hint to who the bully is:

-increase in demand/attention, increase in anger, sudden excluding of someone from activities, increase in disobedience, increase in physical altercations

Preventing Bullying (Teacher’s Guide)

• Adult Supervision is needed as much as possible -in hallways between classes, cafeteria, bus/car duty, outside perimeters,etc. • Make sure to report any suspected incident to the

school principal • Possible parent – teacher conference with parent(s) of

the bully and the parent(s) of the victim• Encourage students in working together, being

respectful, being considerate, and being caring• Set Rules, Enforce Rules, Have Consequences!!!!

Preventing Bullying (Student Involvement)

Why involve students?- Who better to help solve a problem/better a situation than those who

have experienced bullying - Bullying can sometimes be subtle and unrecognized by adults whereas

students notice bullying right away

• Allow students to be involved in anti-bullying campaigns/programs• Make students aware and encourage student’s to inform adults

(teachers, principal, parents) if they know/think bullying is taken place• Ensure confidentiality and reassure that all reports will be kept

anonymous *Students tend to care what peers will think and fear being bullied more or bullying happening to them if they “tattle-tale” *