In the spring of 2011, thousands of Albuquerque Public School students and community partners came together to tackle bullying prevention. Flash mobs at the Albuquerque BioPark, Cliff's Amusement Park, ABQ Uptown, and at many schools and community events took place. Funded by the Federal Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative, this effort put kids into action to prevent bullying.
Get more resources to stop bullying at http://www.bullybattle.com.
Chattanooga NBC affiliate WRCB, in partnership with the Chattanooga Times Free Press and PBS affiliate, WTCI, broadcasted a town hall meeting on May 19 called "The Bully Battle: A Town Hall Meeting."
More than 100 community members gathered for the discussion moderated by WRCB's David Carroll and Cindy Sexton.
Rodger Dinwiddie, president of the International Bullying Prevention Association, led the discussion as a member of the expert panel.
Also included on the panel are David and Tina Long from Chatsworth, Georgia. The Longs are featured in the new film, "Bully", after their son Tyler committed suicide following years of bullying.
The remaining members of the expert panel include Karen Glenn, Executive Director Hamilton County S.T.A.R.S. (Students Taking A Right Stand); Lt. Shaun Shepherd, School Resource Officer Administrator; and Oran Dixson, Student Body President, East Ridge High School.
Clips from the Ellen DeGeneres Show used with permission.
Lil Jazzy - Anti Bully Song - "Bully No More" a 13 year old Rapper / Actress / Model & Musician -flute). Lil Jazzy want to help put an end to bullying and let those that are bullies know that what they are doing to others is wrong, and considered a crime.
The Sundog Theatre and the Susan E. Wagner Theatre Department present "NO FEAR", a theatre presentation written by Susan Wagner High School students to help middle school students recognize the signs of bullying in hopes that they can prevent, avoid and stop it. "NO FEAR" was performed in May of 2012 for students at I.S. 72 -- The Rocco Laurie School, in Staten Island, New York.
This program is funded and sponsored by Borough President James P. Molinaro, the Richmond County Savings Foundation, and Pratt Industries. The video was shot and edited by Andy Levison of the Staten Island Borough President's Office.
Baltimore Ravens Pro Bowl running back Ray Rice visited Howard High School in Ellicott City to talk about bullying and online harassment in schools. The event was organized by Howard County Councilman Calvin Ball after two HCPSS students committed suicide this school year.
This an award-winning video from the 6th Annual Student Film & Video festival, presented by 3C Media Solutions.
This video won an Award of Excellence in category 8, the Video Theme Challenge. This year's theme was "Stand against cyber-intimidation."
Recent events involving student-against-student intimidation have led to widespread awareness on campuses about the need for pre-emptive educational campaigns opposing the menace of online bullying.
Congratulations to Jude Jaydee from Grossmont College.
T.I.Stop Cyber Bullying Video Talks about his Saving Our Daughters take "The Oath Project" and the MTV THINLINE to help stop cyber bullying.http://www.facebook.com/SavingOurDaughters
Bullying is the act of repeatedly and deliberately
intimidating another person using words, actions or behavior. Commonly,
bullying occurs through teasing, exclusion, and physical harassment.
The definition has recently expanded to include cyber bullying, where
mobile phones, social networking sites, or chat rooms are used to spread
rumors and insult others.
How to tell if your child is being bullied.
Despite the prevalence of anti-bullying campaigns
and zero-tolerance policies in schools, this behavior still exists.
Many children who are bullied do not reach out to others, either out of
shame or fear that the bullies will find out. Physical indicators, such
as unexplained bruising and scratches or torn clothing, may point to
bullying. Other signs that your child is being bullied are harder to
pinpoint: general unhappiness, reluctance to go to school, declining
academic performance, altered sleep patterns or nightmares, and major
changes in relationships with others.
Dealing with bullying.
If you suspect that your child is being bullied,
encourage him to open up to you about it. He may be reluctant to tell
you out of shame or fear that the bully will find out.
Take time to listen. Offer him support and make it
clear that the bullying is not his fault. Many children actually
believe the negative things they hear about themselves or believe they
deserve the bullying. Express to your child that there is no excuse for
bullying and that no one deserves it.
Talk about it. Speak with him about why he thinks
he’s being picked on — by determining what is making him a target, he
can work on strategies to overcome the problem. If you suspect that it's
your child's lack of confidence that is making him a target, encourage
his self-confidence by highlighting the things he does well.
Share your advice. Offer advice on what he can do
or say that may help his situation, such as ignoring name-calling or
imagining an invisible wall around him that will protect him from harsh
words. Make sure he knows that he isn’t alone — it may help to discuss a
time when you were bullied as a child and the steps you took to
overcome it.
Create a plan — calmly. Resist the temptation to
immediately rush out and solve the problem. Rationally collect and
confirm the facts with your child. Talk about a plan of action to deal
with the bullying — for example, calling the school or creating coping
strategies. Don’t encourage him to fight back, and don’t try to fix the
problem yourself by talking directly to the bully or his parents, as
this could worsen your child’s situation.
Go to the source. Contact your child's school, if
the bullying is happening there. It is likely they have a policy on
bullying and should be receptive to your concerns.
How bullies pick their victims.
Any child can get bullied by being in the wrong place
at the wrong time, and the qualities that make your child accepted in
one environment — being popular, smart or attractive, for example — can
single him out for bullying in another. Bullies generally set their
sights on anyone who’s different, in terms of either appearance or
interest. Younger or smaller children are at risk for bullying because
of their increased vulnerability. Children who struggle with shyness or
self-confidence, due to a lack of performance in sports or at school,
may also be targeted by bullies.
Who becomes a bully
Looks can be deceiving: Bullies aren’t always the
biggest kids in the classroom. They’re usually kids trying to compensate
for something that’s missing in their own lives. Kids who bully often
perform poorly at school and struggle to make strong and lasting
friendships. Bullies tend to rely on intimidating those around them —
their victims, the witnesses, their “gang” of sidekicks — to prevent
stopping their reign of terror. Experts believe that many bullies have
learned this behavior as a result of being bullied themselves.
My child — a bully?
Chances are, you’ll find out this information through
a teacher or another parent. Though it can be difficult to hear that
your child is a bully, it’s important that you act rationally and
quickly in response. Here’s how you can deal with a bully in your
house:
Keep watch. Observe your child’s behavior for
signs of bullying, such as continually feigning innocence or blaming
others for her offenses. Support positive forms of interaction with
peers and enforce the idea that treating others badly will not be
tolerated.
Discuss the incident. Ask your child to explain
the situation and why it happened without becoming judgmental. Explain
that bullying is completely unacceptable — make a clear distinction
between criticizing the behavior without rejecting your child.
Be supportive. Let her know that you’re confident she can change, and that you know she is capable of kindness and empathy.
Check your conduct, too. Keep watch of your
behavior, as well — if you use intimidation tactics with your children,
they will apply that experience to their own interactions.
Who bullying affects
The short answer? Everyone. Even if your child is not
the victim or the perpetrator in a bullying situation, he will watch
what's going on, which can be very distressing and perhaps make him feel
anxious. How to talk about it:
Bring it up at dinner. You should talk with your
kids about bullying in order for them to understand what behavior is and
is not acceptable. Because bullying is a national issue, discussing it
is a grown-up conversation that kids will feel proud to be included in.
Ask how your child how he would feel if he saw someone being bullied
and what he would do. Suggest that he tell an adult or make an effort
to include a bullying victim in other activities. Emphasize the idea
that even one person can make a difference.
Tackle cyber bullies. The anonymity of bullying
while using cell phones and social networking sites has taken abuse to
more extreme measures. Learn as much as possible about any technology
your child might be using. Show an interest in your child’s online
activities and the sites he accesses online. Outline clear guidelines
regarding Internet use and the information your child posts on websites
or in chat rooms.
Facts and figures about bullying
According to a 2009 report by the National Center for Education
Statistics, nearly a third of all students aged 12 - 18 reported having
been bullied at school in 2007, some almost daily.
Of those students in 2007 who reported being bullied during the
school year, 79 percent said that they were bullied inside the school.
A poll of 1,000 kids nationwide revealed that One-third of all teens
(ages 12-17) and one-sixth of children (ages 6-11) have had mean,
threatening or embarrassing things said about them online. Of that
number, 16 percent of the teens and preteens who were victims told no
one about it. (Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, 2006)
Adolescent girls are significantly more likely to have experienced
cyberbullying in their lifetimes. Girls are also more likely to report
cyberbullying others during their lifetime. The type of cyberbullying
tends to differ by gender; girls are more likely to spread rumors while
boys are more likely to post hurtful pictures or videos. (http://www.cyberbullying.us/research.php)
Prevent bullying in the home.
Kids’ behavior often stems from their home
environment. Create a setting for your child where you openly discuss
the dangers of bullying and encourage positivity and respect for others.
Help your child build caring and genuine friendships, such as setting
up sleepovers and after-school activities that encourage social bonds.
Check in at school.
Become familiar with your school’s anti-bullying
policies in the event that your child becomes involved in a harassment
situation. If you feel the school is not treating a situation
seriously, make an appointment to see the principal, who can explain the
school’s procedures and have the matter resolved as quickly as
possible.
Bullies come in all ages, sizes, races, religions, and in both genders.
Bullies use many tactics to threaten and harass people including, but not limited to, words and physical violence.
People who behave in openly hostile behavior, who threaten others to make themselves feel powerful, or who build themselves
up by tearing others down are bullies.
Girls are more likely to bully with words while boys most often resort to physical attacks. For this reason bullying
by girls is often ignored or not taken as seriously as bullying by boys. The reality is that both types of bullying are
very serious.
Words can be just as harmful as physical violence and can cause lasting psychological damage to victims. The old adage,
"Sticks and stones can break your bones but words will never hurt you!" is simply not true.
Never try to handle a bully alone. Always go to a person with authority over the bully such as; a teacher, a principal,
a school liaison officer or a parent.
No matter what a bully threatens to do, you must tell somebody in a position of authority and your parents. Never suffer
in silence. No matter how popular a bully seems you do not have to handle him/her alone. Responsible adults will help you if you
tell them what is happening. Studies have shown that bullying stops when adults step in and telling an adult rarely makes the
situation worse.
Bullies often model what they see at home. Sometimes a bully is really crying out for help. Bullies often act
out because they feel they have no control over their own lives; they bully in an attempt to take control.
Telling an adult about a bully may end up helping BOTH of you.
Ignoring bullies does not make them stop. Only adult intervention and awareness can end the harassment.
Bullies thrive on the reactions of their victims and ignoring them can make them step up their efforts. However, if you
tell an adult and then start ignoring the bullying behavior the bully will tend to back off. Only start ignoring the
behavior after you have made as many adults as possible aware of the problem.
As children grow in to teens bullying behaviors often escalate. Death threats, taunts urging suicide, group attacks,
and violence with weapons can occur. This sort if behavior is criminal and should always be reported to the police as
well as to school officials and parents.
Nearly 42% of kids have been bullied online and almost one in four have had it happen more than once.
Among this percentage, being ignored and disrespected were the most common forms of cyber bullying.
Nine out of ten middle school students have had their feelings hurt online.
About 75% have visited a Web site bashing another student.
Four out of ten middle school students have had their password(s)
stolen and changed by a bully who then locked them out of their own
account or sent communications posing as them.
About 21% of kids have received mean or threatening e-mails.
The psychological and emotional outcomes of cyber bullying are
similar to real-life bullying outcomes, except for the reality that with
cyber bullying there is often no escape. School ends at 3 p.m., while
the Internet is available all the time.
The primary cyber bullying location where victimizing occurs, at 56%, is in chat rooms.
Girls are about twice as likely as boys to be victims and perpetrators of cyber bullying.
About 58% of kids admit someone has said mean or hurtful things to
them online. More than four out of ten say it has happened more than
once.
Cyber bullying has increased in recent years. In a national survey
of 10-17 year olds, twice as many children indicated they had been
victims and perpetrators.
Student Voices is an Emmy Award winning show produced by Comcast. This segment highlights cyber-bullying where teens discuss their personal experiences of being cyber-bullied, identify safety tips, and discuss how and when to make a report.
Disney Star Jasmine Richards and Music composer Thomas L have colaborated and created a beautiful song that is being used as a fund raising and awareness tool for Anti-bullying.
Directed by Robert Johnston. All funds raised by the Downloads of the song through I-Tunes will donated to Ottawa Youth Services aiding in helping mental health for teens. The song was written and inspired by the tragic end to Jamie Hubley. Jasmine and Thomas wrote the song to donate to the Hubley Family for a foundation in Jamie's name. The Hubley family requested that the money be donated to Ottawa Youth Service Bureau and those funds be used to help help in mental health cases for Ottawa Youth Services Bureau walk in clinics.
www.jasminerichardstheantibully.com
