Bullying

Bullying

• Bullying "is a form of repeated, persistent, and aggressive behaviour that is intended to cause fear and distress..."(Ontario Ministry of Education)
• Bullying involves power and aggression and intimidation
• Bullying is a relationship problem
• Both the victim and the perpetrator can face lifetime consequences from bullying.

Impact of Bullying

Impact of Bullying

• Victims of bullying have higher rates of depression, anxiety, suicide ideation, absenteeism from school, drop out of school.
• Bullies have higher rates of delinquency, substance abuse problems, trouble with the law later in their lives.

What does Bullying Look like?

• Direct bullying - physical violence, name calling, chastising
• Indirect - intentional exclusion, rumours, gossip

What Victims of Bullying Have Said

• "I am quieter in class"
• "Hurts confidence and motivation"
• "I had no one and I was alone"
• "My safety was being challenged"
• "Main issue is loneliness"
• "No one likes me"
• Taken from "Hear Me Out" Stories for Equity and Inclusive Education

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How to Help

• Education - schools, both staff and students, need education on how to recognize bullying, interrupt it and assist both victims and bullies.

Take Action

• Schools need anti bullying policies
• Schools need intervention plans for both victims and bullies
• Schools need to follow through and embed anti bullying campaigns into their daily operations

Listen

"Adults must intervene and teach children how to connect with people respectfully" (PrevNet - Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Network)

Interrupt - stand up to bullying. When others intervene "they are effective in stopping the bullying within 10 seconds". (Safe Schools - Shaping Safer Schools)