Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers 53 MEAN PEOPLE STINK emotional or physical safety is of concern.Then, letting someone who can help know about the bullying situation will help the victim—even if the victim is you! The old adage, “If you aren’t part of the solution, you may be part of the problem,” holds true for bullying. Bystanders play a very important role. What do bystanders typically do? They smile or laugh, verbally encourage the bully, stand and watch, or simply walk by and think “Am I glad that’s not me!” Most importantly, bystanders usually don’t report what they see. This creates more power for the bully because the bully has an audience as well as the protection of knowing that no one is going to report the incident. To stop bullying, this is what we must change. Don’t be a bystander who gives power to bullies. When peers intervene, they succeed in stopping bully behaviours about half the time. Intervention does not mean getting into the face of the bully. It can be in the form of reporting the behaviours you witnessed to a teacher or school administrator. This way, you can support the victim without putting yourself in danger.You can also support victims by telling them that it is not their fault, and encourage them to report the problem. Most victims do not report incidents out of fear that they will get worse. But it is when actions aren’t reported that they usually get worse. Bullies tend to gravitate toward victims that do not have good social networks. You can help in setting up a support system for the victim by having him or her walk with you to class, or sit with you at lunch. Taking responsibility for how others are treated at your school means that you are going to be part of the solution! Talk to teachers and administrators in your school about developing an anti-bullying committee and policy if one doesn’t already exist. Students, parents and teachers should all be part of the group. You can also suggest that all teachers be educated on the issues of bullying, including criminal and non-criminal harassment. Think about creative ways to raise awareness of the issue among your peers. For example, you can suggest an anti-bullying page in the student agenda that outlines the school policy and consequences. Youth talking to youth about these important issues and becoming part of the solution is critical. When we know the issues of bullying and harassment and have a plan to educate others, then we can have a school climate where we respect and support one another. Deb Cockerton is RespectED provincial coordinator for the Red Cross in Peterborough, Ontario. This article is adapted from one that ran in http://www.nextstepmagazine.com/ We’ve all seen it: the person who is called names as they walk down the hall, the boy getting shoved into lockers between classes, or the girl who is having nasty sexual notes and e-mails sent out about her. Does this happen at your school? If you answered “yes,” your school is just one of many facing a bullying and harassment problem. Bullying and harassment are ageold problems that are finally getting recognized as not a “normal” part of growing up. It is unfair to expect people to put up with taunting, physical acts of aggression and social isolation as part of the school experience. The impact on the victim may include stress symptoms (insomnia, depression, etc.), low self-esteem, decline in school performance, skipping or avoiding school, humiliation, fear, self-destructive behaviours or increased risk of suicide.The impact on the aggressor may also include such things as a distorted self-image, perception of aggression as a means to power, four times greater risk of criminal involvement, poor mental health, and an increased risk of irregular education and/or employment. Most likely, you can identify certain behaviours that can be classified as verbal, physical or relational bullying. These can include acts mentioned previously as well as threats of violence, physical aggression, sexual harassment, cyber bullying, destroying someone’s property and behaviours towards individuals meant to humiliate or embarrass. Probably the big question you have is, “Why do bullies do this?” The short answer is, because they feel they can. Bullying happens because of a power imbalance, meaning the bully has more power than the victim. Power can be achieved in many ways, including social status, money, position within the peer group, personality and, of course, physical power. This is what makes bullying different from a conflict situation. In a conflict situation, both parties have equal power, and a resolution is possible through problem solving. In a bullying situation, the victim is powerless to affect change and is usually intimidated by the bully. So why are victims reluctant to tell someone that they are being bullied? The code of secrecy around ratting someone out is a very powerful tool that bullies use to their advantage. But it’s important to recognize that there is a distinct difference between ratting and reporting. Ratting is when you want to get someone in trouble. For example, if your classmate is chewing gum in class and the rules say no gum is allowed, telling on this person serves you no purpose.You may simply be doing it for the satisfaction of seeing someone get in trouble. Reporting, however, is what you should do when someone’s Do you know any bullies? You’re part of the problem unless you work to stop them By Deb Cockerton
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