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Living > Public Health, Safety

Bullying

Bullying is a violent act which involves physically or emotionally threatening a victim. Bullying is an ongoing, intentional, negative action. Bullying behaviour can include teasing, threatening, spreading rumours, name calling, excluding others, rude gestures, stealing, punching, kicking and hitting.

Signs of Bullying
Results of Persistent Bullying
Consequences for Bystanders
What Parents Can Do
Strategies with Elementary Students
Recommended Websites

Signs of Bullying

  • fear of going to school
  • feeling ill in the morning
  • feeling nervous or unsafe
  • coming home with torn or dirty clothes
  • unexplained bruises
  • refusal to say what's wrong
  • lost possessions or lunch money
  • crying themselves to sleep or nightmares

Results of Persistent Bullying

  • sadness or depression
  • poor self-esteem
  • shyness
  • academic difficulties
  • social isolation
  • becoming aggressive and unreasonable
  • threatening or attempting suicide

Consequences for Bystanders
When bullying is allowed to continue, bystanders get the message that bullying is okay. This can mean that more children start to support or even imitate the bullying to protect themselves from becoming a victim.

What Parents can do:

If your child is being bullied:

  • Encourage your child to tell you about bullying incidents
  • Calmly talk with your child about the experience
  • Brainstorm possible solutions with your child
  • Reassure them that the bullying is not their fault
  • Practice saying "no" very firmly and walking away
  • Practice simple responses to the bully's comments and encourage them to stay in a group
  • Make an appointment to talk to your child's teacher/principal
  • Help your child build self confidence by encouraging them to do something they are particularly good at
  • If safety is a concern, contact the police

If your child is bullying others:

  • Give a clear and consistent message that bullying is not acceptable
  • Teach them how to solve problems without using violence or aggression
  • Try not to bully your child when disciplining
  • Give your child lots of praise and encouragement when they cooperate with, or are kind to other people
  • Discourage members of your family from using bulling behaviours

Adapted from: Positive Parenting Information Sheet "Bullying" and Waterloo Region District School Board

Strategies with Elementary Students

It is important to educate children about the issues around bullying and to develop the skills required to make healthy social lifestyle choices. Students are encouraged to build skills in the areas of social interaction, conflict resolution, self-esteem, assertiveness, empathy, and problem solving.

For further information please visit the sites listed below:

Kids Help Phone
www.nobully.org.nz/advicep.htm

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