Some advice on bullying...

As Bullying Awareness Month comes to an end...here is some advice I've pulled from a group called "Standing Up For Victims of Bullies"...

How to handle bullying situations
by Standing Up For Victims of Bullies (Child or Adult) on Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at 10:12am
How to handle bullying situations - school based

It is so hard to figure out what to do when we are being bullied, or if our children are being bullied. Here are some suggestions of what to do if this is happening.

One thing that I stress over and over is DOCUMENTATION. This is so important to remember. A lot of times, we tend to forget the little things, or we get all frustrated when trying to explain a situation to someone, that we get the details wrong. So, it’s important to document what is happening. Get a journal, and write down EVERYTHING, even if it seems to be a tiny detail. Put it in there. Document who, what, where, time, place, what was said and done, who it was reported to, how it was handled or not handled, and what you plan on doing next. If you have to go so far as to make your voice heard with the school board or the police, then you will have the documentation handy. Also…cell phones are a great thing to have around. You can video tape what is being done and said, and you have pictures to back you up. Gathering the facts is essential.

1. Report to the principal - let him/her know what is going on immediately

2. Report to the Superintendent - if principal doesn’t do anything

3. Report to the school board - if no one is doing anything

4. Take to the police

5. Take to the media (Radio, newspapers, TV reporters) - schools do NOT like to look negative in the public.

6. For kids - stay in a group or walk with someone else whenever this is little to no supervision: Bathrooms, hallways, playgrounds and lunchrooms.

7. For parents - gather the parents together who believe that this needs to stop, and together, go to the school and school board. Make your voices heard! There is power in numbers.

8. Also for parents - become a permanent fixture in the schools. Be a room monitor or helper, have lunch with your child, observe in the classroom or hallways. The more adults that stand around with a watchful eye, the better that the bullying will stop. Ride the bus with your child if you have the time to do so.

Other things that could be helpful…

Develop a task force in school - a group of kids and parents who want to make a difference. Make posters about bullying and sources of information to get help.

Involve the community - create a partnership with the school and community (churches, youth groups, businesses, etc).

Be aware of who your children are hanging out with, and what they are doing. Be proactive and always know what, who, when, where and why they are doing something.

Communicate with your children positively - get them counseling if needed, so they can manage their feelings. Mental health issues and bullying go hand in hand.



DON’T EVER GIVE UP