Bullying

1
Bullying

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2
Four Markers of Bullying

• Imbalance of Power
• Intent to Harm
• Threat of Further Aggression
• Terror

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3
The Ways and Means

• Verbal Bullying (boys and girls use this equally)
• Physical Bullying (mostly boys)
• Relational Bullying (mostly girls)
• Cyber-Bullying (boys and girls use this equally)

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4
Common Bully Traits

• Likes to dominated people
• Likes to use others people to get what they want
• Lack of empathy
• Self-Seeking
• Violence in the absence of adults
• View others as weak and potential prey
• Uses blame, criticism, and false allegations
• Refuses to accept responsibility
• Lacks foresight and short/long term consequences
• Craves attention
• In NOT typically about anger

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5
Common Victim Traits

• Greater risk for physical and mental health
  problems
• Misses school more frequently
• Higher levels of anxiety
• Low self-worth
• Potential for depression, social anxiety, and
  loneliness
• Peers tend to avoid
• Low social status
• Isolation from peers (less likely to have close
  friends)
• Feelings of powerlessness
• Higher risk for suicidal ideation

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6
Warning Signs

• Shows an abrupt lack of interest in school or
  refusal to go to school
• Takes an unusual route to school
• Suffers a drop in grades
• Withdraws from family and school activities
• Isolates
• Is hungry after school
• Makes a beeline to the bathroom when returning
  home from school
• Is sad, sullen, angry, or scared after receiving
  communication (phone, text, email, chat, social
  networking, etc.)

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7
Warning Signs

• Does something out of character
• Uses derogatory or demeaning language when
  talking about peers
• Stops talking about everyday activities
• Has disheveled, torn, or missing clothing
• Has physical injuries not consistent with
  explanations
• Has stomach aches, head aches, panic attacks, is
  unable to sleep, sleeps too much, is exhausted

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8

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9
Bystandersfive reasons for not intervening

• The bystander is afraid of getting hurt
• The bystander is afraid of becoming a new target
• The bystander is afraid of making things worse
• The bystander doesnt know what to do
• The Bully is my friend/relative

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10
Creating a Caring Community

• Principles/Values Driven
• Effective Anti-Bullying Policies
• Prevention Strategy

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11
Principles/Values Driven

1. Warmth, positive interest, and involvement from
   adults
2. Firm and consistent limits as to unacceptable
   behaviors
3. In case of violations of limits and rules,
   consistent application of non-hostile,
   non-physical sanctions
4. Behavior by adults at home and community
   organizations that creates an authoritative (not
   authoritarian) adult-child interaction

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12
Effective Anti-Bullying Policies

1. Strong positive statement of the organizations
   desire to promote positive peer interactions
2. A succinct definition of bullying
3. A declaration of rights of the individuals and
   groups in the community
4. A statement of the responsibility of witnesses
5. Encouragement to speak to leaders when concerns
   of victimization surface
6. A general description of how the
   organization/community will deal with
   bully/victim problem

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13
Prevention Strategy

1. Gather information about bullying directly from
   students
2. Establish clear organizational rules about
   bullying
3. Train all willing adults to respond sensitively
   and consistently to bullying
4. Provide adequate adult supervision
5. Improve parental awareness and involvement in
   addressing the problem

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