The Bully Proof

ClassroomA 3 credit graduate course for

teachers from the Regional Training Center in partnership with TCNJ and

Gratz College

Bullying Definition

Bullying is when a stronger, more powerful person hurts or frightens a smaller or weaker person deliberately (on purpose) and repeatedly (again and again).

Bullying: 3 Important Components

1. Bullying is aggressive behavior that involves unwanted, negative actions.

2. Bullying involves a pattern of behavior repeated over time.

3. Bullying involves an imbalance of power or strength.

Bullying: Many Roles

1. The Bully

2. The Victim

3. The Bystander

4. The Collaborator

5. The Rescuer

Bullying Takes on Many Forms

1. Verbal bullying including derogatory comments and bad names2. Bullying through social exclusion or isolation3. Physical bullying such as hitting, kicking, shoving, and spitting4. Bullying through lies and false

rumors

Bullying Takes on Many Forms

5. Having money or other personal property taken or damaged by students who bully6. Being threatened or being forced to do things by students who bully7. Racial bullying8. Sexual bullying9. Cyber bullying (via cell phone or Internet)

Bullying Statistics 60% of middle school students say

that they have been bullied, while only16% of staff believe that students are bullied.

160,000 students stay home from school everyday because of bullying. (NEA) 

30% of students who reported they had been bullied said they had at times brought weapons to school. 

A bully is six times more likely to be incarcerated by the age of 24. 

Bullying Statistics A bully is five times more likely to have

a serious criminal record when he grows up. 

2/3 of students who are targets become bullies. 

20% of all children say they have been bullied. 

20% of high school students say they have seriously considered suicide within the last 12 months. 

Bullying Statistics 25% of students say that teachers

intervened in bullying incidents, while 71% of teachers say they intervened. 

The average child has watched 8,000 televised murders and 100,000 acts of violence before finishing elementary school. 

The number one Play Station game is Grand Theft Auto where the theme is stealing cars, shooting police officers, and beating up and killing prostitutes. 

Bullying Statistics Bullying was a factor in 2/3 of the 37 school

shootings reviewed by the US Secret Service.

According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety Health (NIOSH) (Sauter, et al., 1990), there is a loss of employment amounting to $19 billion and a drop in productivity of 3 billion due to workplace bullying.

Law enforcement costs related to bullying are enormous. Since 1999, the Office on Violence against Women (OVW) has spent $98 million in assistance to address campus sexual violence.

One More Thing We Know

In schools where there are bullying programs, bullying is reduced by 50%

as long as…

Bullying Myths Bullying is an Isolated, Individual Aggressive

Action- Bullying is not an isolated aggressive action. In fact, bullying/victimizing problems are influenced by peers, families, schools, and communities.

Bullying Occurs Between a Bully and a Victim- Bullying is a dynamic social relationship problem and many youth move in and out of various roles.

Anti-Bullying Policies are Ineffective- If Anti-bullying policies are not mandated many school districts do not willingly develop and adopt Anti-Bullying policies which create awareness and lay the foundation for lasting societal changes.

It’s Impossible to Stop Bullying- When there is positive adult leadership in schools, positive student leadership, and healthy relationships there is less bullying.

Bullying Myths cont. Bullying Prevention and Intervention are complicated

and Expensive- The development of healthy social relationships is free. Strategies don’t have to be expensive and should simply be based upon the golden rule.

Physical Bullying is More Damaging that Relational or Verbal Bullying- Sticks and Stones Break my Bones but Words will Never Hurt Me is UNTRUE. With cyber bulling on the rise Verbal Bullying can go undetected, maybe for years.

Figuring out How to evaluate Anti-Bullying Efforts is too Complicated- Statistical Reviews can be preformed at any level to determine the effect of any program. It is done with student test scores on a regular basis in schools.

Other Bullying Myths

There is no bullying here

There are no gangs here

It’s a rite of passage

Bullies/gang members are tough

Bullies/gang members are popular

Small communities are immune

Anti Bullying Pledge

“I pledge to not use my hands or words to hurt other people.”

The Bully Proof

ClassroomWant to know more? Register for the “Bully

Proof Classroom” face2face or online @

www.theRTC.net