How to stop bullying?

Related Literatures

Bullying and Harassment at Schools

Bullying and harassment are not new issues that students and schools face. In fact,
over the years, it has been viewed as being so commonplace in schools that it has been
overlooked as a threat to students and reduced to a belief that bullying is a
developmental stage that most youth will experience then get over (Ross, 2002, p. 107).
But not everyone gets over the personal trauma that can come with bullying both for the
victim and the bully. This is why it is seen happening by adults in work places, in homes,
and in the community.

Reacting to School Violence versus Bullying

In the 1970s Dan Olweus began extensive research on the causes and effects of
bullying in Scandinavian schools and has since been a leading voice on this topic. But it
is only in the last ten to fifteen years that researchers in North America have been
actively studying the causes that lead to bullying, the long and short term effects it has
on students, and how schools and communities can effectively reduce incidents from
occurring as well as intervening and supporting students when it does. This research is
a result of the increase of school violence and the media coverage it has received.

Bullies

Ross (2002, p.108-114) summarizes characteristics of bullies, home environments that

breed bullying behaviours and possible outcomes for bullies who do not receive
interventions for their behaviour. She has echoed Olweus’ work explaining that within
the category of bully there are primarily two distinct groups; aggressive bullies and
anxious bullies. The characteristics of aggressive bullies tend to be that they are
stronger than average, active, and impulsive. They use threatening behaviours or
postures, can be easily provoked, and have an underlying positive attitude to violence.
They may experience their world through paranoid thoughts and feelings, are skilful in
avoiding blame, and feel no empathy for their victims or remorse for their actions; often
perceiving their actions as less severe then how the victim perceives them (p. 108). A
major difference between aggressive and anxious bullies is their self-esteem.

Solution

5 practical ways to stop bullying

1) Recognize and Respond

Bullying and intolerance manifest as verbal, written or physical acts that harm another person.

● Educate students, parents and staff about taking bullying seriously and how to recognize it.
Make an action plan to respond swiftly to incidents and daily teasing.
● Identify and monitor places where most bullying happens (e.g., on the way to and from
school, in the cafeteria, and on the school yard.)

2) Create Dialogue

Create opportunities for open dialogue with youth about bullying and intolerance. Let students lead
through peer-to-peer action.

● Provide opportunities for students to share their feelings, problems or ideas.

● Get students involved in organizing anti-bullying forums where they resolve problems.

3) Encourage Bystanders to Become "Upstanders"

Upstanders are people who stand up for themselves and others.

● Model ways for young people to intervene and speak up. Practice with role-playing.
● Help youth develop effective phrases to reject negative comments or social media posts.
● Have older students help younger students learn to speak up.

4) Foster Safety and Inclusion

Foster identify safe and welcoming environments that promote inclusion and acceptance, places
where students feel everyone is respected and their identity is valued.

● Connect with young people and create the trust that will help them come forward if they are
being bullied.
● Listen to them, pay attention and offer support when students are upset or sad.

5) Educate Your Community

Partner with others to take joint action in educating students, teachers and parents about bullying in
your school and community.

● Create a coalition of elected, school and civic community leaders to sign a school-wide
pledge to say No Bullying: Not In Our School/Not In Our Town.
● Sponsor a "Not In Our Schools" Week with buttons, banners, slogans, t-shirts and school-
wide activities.

“Stop bullying before it

starts”