Bullying

Definition of Bullying

Repeated, deliberate physical, verbal or social attacks or intimidation directed toward another person.  There is a marked imbalance of power between the bully and the victim.  Bullying may be done by one individual or a group.  Cyber bullying is bullying that takes place using electronic technology.  

Overview

• Bullying often leads to greater and prolonged violence.
  
• It is a serious problem and one which parents need to acknowledge/address.
  
• It is known that the likely targets are those who look different, act different, or select activities that are not mainstream.
  
• It is not intentionally provoked by the victim.
  
• Bullying not only harms the victim, it also negatively affects the climate of the school and the opportunity for all students to learn and achieve.
  
• It is defined as intentional, repeated, hurtful acts, words, or other behavior.
  
• It could involve name calling, threatening, or shunning.
  
• It could be committed by one or more children against another.
  
• There are different types/forms of bullying:
  
  • Physical bullying includes punching, poking, hair pulling, beating, biting, and strangling.
    
  • Verbal bullying includes name calling, teasing, and gossiping.
    
  • Emotional bullying includes rejecting, terrorizing, extorting, blackmailing, isolating, and defaming.
    
  • Sexual bullying includes sexual propositioning or sexual harassment.
• Kentucky's House Bill 91, often referred to as the "Bullying Bill" (now codified as KRS 158.156), was passed during the 2008 legislative session. The law requires school districts to have plans, policies, and procedures to deal with measures for assisting students who are engaged in disruptive and disorderly behavior. To read about HB 91, click here.

Effects on Youth

• Fighting
  
• Stealing
  
• Truancy
  
• Smoking
  
• Vandalism
  
• Dropping out of school
  
• Alcohol and/or other drugs

Warning Signs

What are the signs of my child being bullied?

• Sleeplessness or nightmares
  
• Drop in grades
  
• Unexplained cuts, bruises, or scratches
  
• Damaged or missing clothes, books, or belongings
  
• Withdrawal or losing interest in hobbies or friends
  
• Frequent complaints of headaches or stomachaches
  
• Requests to stay home from school
  
• Exhibiting nervous or fearful behavior about attending school or riding the bus.

What are the signs that my child may be a bully?

• Frequent name-calling
• Regular bragging
• A constant need to get his own way
• Spending time with younger or less powerful children
• A lack of empathy for others
• A defiant or hostile attitude; easily takes offense

Prevention Information

What can I do if my child is bullied?

• Foster your child's confidence; assure him/her they are not to blame.
  
• Be willing to take action when needed.
  
• Find out what your child's school's bullying plan is; work collaboratively with school personnel to address the problem.
  
• Offer support to your child, but do not encourage dependence on you.
  
• Do not encourage aggressive behavior; instruct your child not to bully back.
  
• Help your child to develop new friendships.
  
• Stay involved, and be supportive of your child's school and extracurricular activities.
  
• Stay informed of what your child is doing and with whom he or she is socializing.
  
• Promote respectful behavior:
  
  • Spend quality time with your child.
    
  • Know your child's friends.
    
  • Be consistent about discipline.
    
  • Eliminate toys, games, and TV shows that reward aggression.
    
  • Encourage your child to be slow in taking offense.
    
  • Make sure your child knows what other children expect.
    
  • Help your child see other points of view.
    
• Teach your child the difference between "tattling" and "telling." The purpose of tattling is to get someone in trouble and the purpose of telling is to help someone stay safe.

What can I do if my child tells me he or she is a bystander? (A bystander is a student who sees another student being bullied.)

• Teach your child not to laugh at or join in bullying
  
• Tell your child to join with other bystanders and "stand up together" to convince the bully to back down
  
• Help your child learn how to help the victim walk away
  
• Assure your child that he/she can tell a trusted adult in the school.

Resources

Where can you go for more information and help?

Stop Bullying Now

Stop Bullying Now is a nonprofit group that will assist you in locating tips/information about bullying awareness, prevention, and intervention.
www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov
www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/adults/default.aspx

Anti-Bullying Network

Anti-Bullying Network is a nonprofit company that provides free anti-bullying support to schools and families.
www.antibullying.net
www.antibullying.net/parentsfamilies.htm

Bullying.org

Bullying.org is an organization dedicated to increasing the awareness of bullying and to eliminating bullying in society.
www.bullying.org/index.cfm

Kentucky Center for School Safety

Kentucky Center for School Safety is a state agency that provides funding to each school district in the Commonwealth for educating families about safe schools.
www.kysafeschools.org
www.kysafeschools.org/leftnav/parentaggression.html

JCPS Library Media Services For Content Sharing

The Bullying Prevention LibGuide provides information on high quality bullying prevention and intervention materials customized to meet the needs of individual Jefferson County Public School students. Resources were selected on their potential to help empower the target, mobilize the bystander and rehabilitate the bully.

http://jeffco.libguides.com/Bullying

Forms

Bully Flow Chart
Bullying Reporting Form
Anti Bullying poster