Bullying Bullying PreventionPreventionParent Literacy NightParent Literacy Night

T.F. South High SchoolT.F. South High School

Facilitators : Jennifer Anderson and Marcia JamesFacilitators : Jennifer Anderson and Marcia James

Who’s going to stop it?Who’s going to stop it?

Bullying has become a widespread Bullying has become a widespread problem in both our schools and problem in both our schools and communities. communities.

It is the most common form of It is the most common form of violence in our society and schools.violence in our society and schools.

Membership is either bully or Membership is either bully or victim.victim.

It is unacceptable anti-social It is unacceptable anti-social behavior but the good news is that behavior but the good news is that it can be unlearned.it can be unlearned.

Bullying BehaviorBullying Behavior

Among researchers, bullying is aggressive behavior that

(a) is intended to cause stress and harm,

(b) exists where there is an imbalance of power, and

(c) is repeated over time (a pattern).

Bullying behavior (continued)

Overt and covertOvert and covert Direct and indirectDirect and indirect Open attacks and subversiveOpen attacks and subversive Physical and non-physicalPhysical and non-physical Social isolation/exclusion from a groupSocial isolation/exclusion from a group Name calling, threats, gossip, rumors, Name calling, threats, gossip, rumors,

lies, making fun of, manipulating lies, making fun of, manipulating friendships, mean notesfriendships, mean notes

Intentional where a person cannot Intentional where a person cannot defend selfdefend self

Peer abusePeer abuse

Definition (Bully)Definition (Bully)

A person who directs physical, A person who directs physical, verbal or psychological verbal or psychological aggression or harassment toward aggression or harassment toward others, with the goal of others, with the goal of dominating another individual. It dominating another individual. It is done with the intention of is done with the intention of undermining an individuals undermining an individuals emotional confidence, self-emotional confidence, self-esteem or social status.esteem or social status.

Definition (Victim)Definition (Victim)

Someone who repeatedly is Someone who repeatedly is exposed to aggression from peers exposed to aggression from peers in the form of physical attacks, in the form of physical attacks, verbal assaults or psychological verbal assaults or psychological abuse. abuse.

Cyber-bullying Cyberbullies use e-mail, IMs,blogs, chat rooms, and social networking

sites as well as cell phone texting and photos to harass their victims. This is done by: sending insulting messages and threats, spreading rumors, posing as someone else and sending messages supposedly from that person, and posting embarrassing photos.

The growth of social networking among teenagers is staggering.

According to a study,15 million U.S. teens are social network users.

Among teens, 65% are members of an online social network.

72% of 12-17 year olds are text users, with an average of 1,500 texts per month.

Social networking also takes place on gaming sites, available through consoles, such as Nintendo, Wii, Playstation, and Xbox where they can create profiles and chat with other players.

Cyberbullying Continued

The National Crime Prevention council indicated that 43% of teens reported being victims of cyberbullying

Warning Signs Unexplained anxiety Anger, sadness, fear Failing grades Lack of interest in

friends, school, or other activities

Trouble sleeping More or less interest

in the computer or cell phone

Sexting

Sexting involves sending sexually explicit messages and/or nude or semi-nude photos electronically. This can be via cell phones or over the internet.

The trouble with sexting is photos can be distributed widely, therefore ruining reputations, causing anxiety, depression, and ultimate embarrassment.

In addition, it is a CRIME. Federal law makes it illegal to possess, distribute, or take sexually explicit images of anyone under the age of 18.

What can parents do about sexting

Talk to your children about the dangers of sexting.

Set rules and consequences for breaking these rules.

Make sure you know who your child is communicating with.

Inform your child that they risk jail time as well as being labeled a sex offender.

Inform them that anything that they send or post may never go away.

Be aware of sexting shortcuts and acronyms.

Popular SextingShortcuts and Acronyms

TDTM-Talk dirty to me NIFOC-Nude in front of the computer P911-Parent alert RUH-Are you horny? GNOC- Get naked on camera MOSS-Member of the same sex K4Y-Kiss for you 8-Oral sex 143-I Love You 182-I hate you

Goal of Bullying Goal of Bullying Awareness & Prevention Awareness & Prevention

Everyone must help exertEveryone must help exertleadership in recognizing bullying,leadership in recognizing bullying,

refusing to participate, and inrefusing to participate, and incoming to the aid coming to the aid

of victims of victims skillfully and nonviolently.skillfully and nonviolently.

Dan OlweusDan Olweus

How can I tell if my How can I tell if my child is being bullied?child is being bullied?

There's a good chance your child will not come There's a good chance your child will not come to you and report that they are being bullied.to you and report that they are being bullied.

Signs and SymptomsSigns and Symptoms Do not want to attend school-upset

stomach/headache Isolation from others, even in the home Anxiety (panic attacks) Self-mutilation (cutting)

Not my childNot my child

What to do if your child is the bully?What to do if your child is the bully?

1. Talk it out1. Talk it out

2.2. Decrease violence at home, turn off Decrease violence at home, turn off violent television programs and video violent television programs and video gamesgames

3. Teach positive behaviors3. Teach positive behaviors

4. 4. Seek professional help if needed Seek professional help if needed

According to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, According to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, bullying can be a sign of other serious antisocial or violent bullying can be a sign of other serious antisocial or violent behavior that can lead to future problems in school and with the behavior that can lead to future problems in school and with the law.law.

Bullying Tips for Parents

Be involved in your child’s life, including computer time.

Teach your child how to be more assertive without being passive or violent.

Be alert –when the circumstances are violent or dangerous, involve law enforcement.

Be informed-learn about your schools policy toward bullying.

Speak out and connect with other parents or community members who care about creating a safe, positive environment.

Policy and Procedure for Policy and Procedure for District #215District #215

School-wide policy- The district will not tolerate School-wide policy- The district will not tolerate harassing, intimidating conduct, or bullying, harassing, intimidating conduct, or bullying, whether verbal, physical or visual that affects the whether verbal, physical or visual that affects the tangible benefits of education, unreasonably tangible benefits of education, unreasonably interferes with a students educational performance interferes with a students educational performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive educational environment. educational environment.

Depending on the level of the infraction, a student Depending on the level of the infraction, a student may be referred for one or more of the following: may be referred for one or more of the following: (1) counselor referral, (2) social worker referral, (3) (1) counselor referral, (2) social worker referral, (3) parent conference and/or suspension of up to 10 parent conference and/or suspension of up to 10 days, and/or (4) recommendation for expulsion. days, and/or (4) recommendation for expulsion. Public Act 92-0260, 105 ILCS 5/10-20.14Public Act 92-0260, 105 ILCS 5/10-20.14

Resources for ParentsResources for Parents

www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov www.nobully.org www.safeyouth.org www.isafe.org www.antibullying.net

Thank You!Thank You!

Thornton Fractional South High Thornton Fractional South High SchoolSchool