CURIOUS – Stand Up Against Bullying

Bullying is not only a topic, but it is an action. An action in which is seen by many everyday within school systems, business offices, or on the streets. It is everywhere and has become part of the everyday environment. More often then not, bullying occurs greatly within local school systems, where it has come to the extent of having individuals remove themselves from the environment over bullying. Bullying can happen in many ways whether it be race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and the list goes on. It is not something that can be pushed away any longer.

What is Bullying?

Bullying is when one or more of the following things happen repeatedly to someone who finds it hard to stop it from happening. Bullying is a huge problem in schools (and elsewhere) despite massive strides made in the last few decades. Bullying is when a person or a group of people offline or online :

  • Send nasty or threatening messages using the internet or via mobile phone
  • Make fun of / tease someone in a mean and hurtful way
  • Hit, kick or push someone around
  • Tell lies or sprwad nasty rumours about someone to try to make others not like them
  • Threaten or make someone feel afraid of getting hurt
  • Leave someone out on purpose or not allow them to join in

Why Anti-Bullying Campaigns are Important?

According to the annual bullying survey 2015:

  • 30% of the victims have had suicidal thoughts
  • 29% have self-harmed
  • 27% have truanted from school
  • 14% have abused drugs and/or alcohol
  • 14% developed eating disorder
  • 13% developed anti-social behaviours
  • 12% ran away from home
  • 6% have engaged in risky, unprotected sex

The Signs of Bullying

  • Changes in sleeping and eating patterns
  • Lowared school performance
  • Frequent tears or anger
  • Feeling ill in the morning and not wanting to go to school
  • Changing friendship group
  • Withdrawal from activities and reluctance to say why

Effects on the Bullied Victim

  • Social isolation
  • Feelings of shame
  • Sleep disturbance
  • Changes in eating habits
  • Low self-esteem
  • School avoidance
  • Symptoms of anxiety
  • Bedwetting
  • Higher risk of illness
  • Psychosomatic symptoms (stomachaches, headaches, muscle aches, other physical complaints with no known medical cause)
  • Poor school performance
  • Symptoms of depression

What Can We Do to Prevent and Stop Bullying?

  1. Pay attention.There are many warning signs that may point to a bullying problem, such as unexplained injuries, lost or destroyed personal items, changes in eating habits, and avoidance of school or other social situations. However, every student may not exhibit warning signs, or may go to great lengths to hide it. This is where paying attention is most valuable. Engage students on a daily basis and ask open-ended questions that encourage conversation.
  2. Don’t ignore it.Never assume that a situation is harmless teasing. Different students have different levels of coping; what may be considered teasing to one may be humiliating and devastating to another. Whenever a student feels threatened in any way, take it seriously, and assure the student that you are there for them and will help.
  3. When you see something — do something.Intervene as soon as you even think there may be a problem between students. Don’t brush it off as “kids are just being kids. They’ll get over it.” Some never do, and it affects them for a lifetime. All questionable behavior should be addressed immediately to keep a situation from escalating. Summon other adults if you deem the situation may get out of hand. Be sure to always refer to your school’s anti-bullying policy.
  4. Remain calm.When you intervene, refuse to argue with either student. Model the respectful behavior you expect from the students. First make sure everyone is safe and that no one needs immediate medical attention. Reassure the students involved, as well as the bystanders. Explain to them what needs to happen next — bystanders go on to their expected destination while the students involved should be taken separately to a safe place.
  5. Deal with them individually.Don’t attempt to sort out the facts while everyone is present, don’t allow the students involved to talk with one another, and don’t ask bystanders to tell what they saw in front of others. Instead, talk with the individuals involved — including bystanders — on a one-on-one basis. This way, everyone will be able to tell their side of the story without worrying about what others may think or say.
  6. Don’t make the them involved apologize and/or shake hands on the spot. Label the behavior as bullying. Explain that you take this type of behavior very seriously and that you plan to get to the bottom of it before you determine what should be done next and any resulting consequences based on your school’s anti-bullying policy. This empowers the bullied child — and the bystanders — to feel that someone will finally listen to their concerns and be fair about outcomes.
  7. Hold bystanders accountable. Bystanders provide bullies an audience, and often actually encourage bullying. Explain that this type of behavior is wrong, will not be tolerated, and that they also have a right and a responsibility to stop bullying. Identify yourself as a caring adult that they can always approach if they are being bullied and/or see or suspect bullying.
  8. Listen and don’t pre-judge. Itis very possible that the person you suspect to be the bully may actually be a bullied student retaliating or a “bully’s” cry for help. It may also be the result of an undiagnosed medical, emotional or psychological issue. Rather than make any assumptions, listen to each child with an open mind.
  9. Get appropriate professional help. Be careful not to give any advice beyond your level of expertise. Rather than make any assumptions, if you deem there are any underlying and/or unsolved issues, refer the student to a nurse, counselor, school psychologist, social worker, or other appropriate professional.
  10. Become trained to handle bullying situations. If you work with students in any capacity, it is important to learn the proper ways to address bullying.

 

References

https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/2577tackling_bullying_from_schoolyard_to_cyberspace_low_res_fa.pdf

https://www.telethonkids.org.au/our-research/research-topics/bullying/bullying-infographics/