Bullying Behaviors and Intervention Strategies

January 8, 2007

Marshall Middle School

Presenters:Christine Hamele – Jay Pica

References for Presentation Bill Bond, Resident Practitioner for Safe and Orderly

Schools, National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). Words Hurt the Heart: Strategies to Reduce and Prevent Bullying. AWSA Conference, La Crosse, WI (October, 2006).

Bullying Behaviors in Schools. One credit class taught at Marian College-Fond Du Lac.

Sawyer, D. (2006). Primetime: Cyber Bullying-Cruel Intentions, ABC Television.

Wiseman, R. (2002). Queen Bees and Wannabees. New York: Crown Publishers.

www.safeyouth.org www.StopBullyingNow.hrsa.gov

Definition of Bullying

Bullying is aggressive behavior intended to cause harm or distress.

Bullying is not a conflict between two students. It is one side humiliating the other for entertainment.

Conflict is a normal part of adolescence.

Normal Conflict/Aggression

Episodic and Overt. Similar age +/or developmental age. Similar physical strength. Similar level of affect. Different motivation than bullying. Leads to remorse/responsibility and

efforts to solve the problem. Peer mediation can work here.

Conflict vs. Bullying

Similar power One time Similar affect Friends or least an

acquaintance

Imbalance of power Repeated Unequal affect-

bully shows no emotion

Not friends

Criteria: Is It Bullying?

Is there an imbalance of power / strength?

Is the behavior repeated over time? Does the behavior cause harm or

distress to the victim?

Direct vs. Indirect Bullying

Direct involves:

1. Hitting, kicking, shoving, spitting, etc.

2. Taunting, teasing, racial slurs, verbal harassment.

3. Threatening, obscene gestures.

Indirect involves:

1. Spreading rumors.

2. Excluding from a group or activity.

3. Getting others to do the bullying

4. Cyber bullying.

ABC Primetime

“Cyber Bullying-Cruel Intentions”

National Statistics

160,000 students stay home from school each day because they have been bullied. This means 1 to 2 in our school. (Nansel, T.R., 2003)

10% of students reported being bullied, but not bullying others. Another 6% said they were bullied and bullied others. A final 13% just bullied. (Journal of the American Medical Association, April 2001)

60% of boys who were bullies in middle school had at least one conviction by age 24.

40% had three or more convictions. (Olweus, 1997) 40% of victims turn into vicious bullies themselves.

(Limber, 2003).

Characteristics of a Direct Bully

Impulsive, hot-headed, dominant.

Easily Frustrated. Lack of Empathy. Thought that victim

provoked/deserved it

Difficulty following rules.

View violence in a positive way.

Stronger than others.

Family risk factors for bullying

Lack of warmth/involvement from parent.

Overly-submissive parents. Lack of adult supervision. Harsh, physical discipline. Parents model bullying behaviors.

Characteristics of female roles

The Queen Bee Became popular based on fear and control.

Reigns with charisma, force, money, looks, will and manipulation.

The Sidekick

Backs up the Queen Bee no matter what.Looks/acts like Queen’s twin.

Bullies others with Queen to promote their agenda.

Characteristics of female roles

The BankerCreates chaos by banking/sharing information about others. Sneaks under the radar, girls trust her.

The FloaterDoesn’t associate with only one clique.Confident, nice to others, avoids conflict.High self-esteem, may stand up to Queen.

Female roles (cont.)

The Torn BystanderConflicted between doing right thing and allegiance to the clique. Easily influenced.

The PleaserAlmost all girls fill this role. May do Queen’s “dirty work” (gossip). May be dropped from the clique easily. Serves as a messenger.

The TargetSet up by others-victim. May or may not be in the clique. Lives outside the norms.

Peer Factors

Students who bully have friends who bully. Males mostly, have positive attitudes towards violence.

Youth who frequently bully are more likely to:

Get into fights / get injured

Vandalize property Steal Drink alcohol

Smoke Truant Drop out of school Carry a weapon

Bullying Myths(taken from StopBullyingNow)

“Children who bully are loners”.Research indicates they aren’t isolated.

Have an easy time making friends.Have a small group who encourages bullying.

“Children who bully have low self-esteem”Research indicates those who bully have average

or above average self-esteem. Bored easily, get a thrill from bullying.Interventions that focus on building self-esteem are not often effective.

Moment To Reflect

Are you working with a student who exhibits these characteristics?

Characteristics of victims-passive

Fragile self-esteem Poor social skills Shyness Emotionally

vulnerable Physically weak

Learning or behavioral disability

Show vulnerable behaviors ( walk, posture, eye contact)

Lack conflict reducing skills

Characteristics of victims-provocative

Restless Irritable Provoking others Ineffectual aggressor Easily emotionally

aroused Tend to maintain

conflict, then lose

May be ADHD +/or ODD

Make you feel that they deserve it

(These victims are searching for attention and will set themselves up to be the victim and receive negative attention

Warning Signs that a child is being bullied (staff/parents)

Torn, damaged, or missing clothing, books, or other belongings.

Unexplained cuts, bruises, and scratches.

Few, if any, friends with whom he or she spends time.

Doesn’t participate in organized school activities.

Warning signs that a child is being bullied (continued):

Has lost interest in school work / suddenly begins to do poorly.

Appears sad, moody, teary, or depressed.

Complains frequently about headaches, stomachaches, or other physical ailments.

Warning Signs that a child is being bullied (continued):

Appears sleepy, complains of lack of sleep.

Experiences loss of appetite. Appears anxious. Low self-esteem.

Moment To Reflect

Are you working with a student who exhibits these warning signs?

If you observe bullying:

Intervene. Stop it immediately. Say something to the bully. (Most Important!)

Talk to the victim in private. Listen and get the facts. Does it fit the criteria?

Tell them you are sorry. Assure them it isn’t their fault

Be aware of bystanders. Talk to them privately.

If you observe bullying:

Remember that bullying is not a conflict. Don’t hold a mediation.

Write a discipline referral. Describe the actions as harassing or humiliating. Don’t call them a bully. They will live up to that label. Parents defend kids who are labeled. If parent defends them, a consequence is meaningless.

If bullying is reported to you:

Listen attentively. Write down the facts.

Reassure them it isn’t their fault. Ask student what they want to happen. Incident Report Form? Needs further

investigation. Discipline Referral? Meets the criteria.

Ways To Reduce/Prevent Bullying

Focus class time on this issue (advisory) to get the pulse of student’s concerns. Offer strategies for victims and bystanders.

Strong personal relationships with students. All students need at least one caring adult. Need someone to tell.

Ways To Prevent Bullying

Buddy system for new students (often seen as targets).

Provide a safe, secure, confidential way for student to communicate concerns to adults.

Teach students the difference between tattling (telling to get someone in trouble) and informing (telling to help someone). Want them to report bullying.

Ways To Reduce/Prevent Bullying

Increase supervision in hot spots:

Hallways

Bathrooms

Lockerooms

Cafeteria

Ways To Prevent/Reduce Bullying

The research findings presented in most literature emphasizes the need for a comprehensive, school-wide bullying program. It has the greatest results.

Programs provide a unified effort, common language, common expectations, support/training for all staff, along with year long emphasis.

Strategies for Victims When Approached by a Peer

Don’t get upset, show it doesn’t bother you. Walk away.

Don’t defend yourself against rumors. Use humor or a quick comeback.

Strategies for Bystanders

Provide confidential reporting method. Communicate expectation they will

take action. Not OK to do nothing. Girls: build empathy skills. Verbally

process her actions as a bystander. Boys: Sax says empathy building

doesn’t work. Elect leaders who will patrol bullying.

Literature Resources – A way to initiate meaningful discussions- 6th grade

“A Letter From the Fringe” by Joan Bauer. On the fringe. New York: Dial Books.

“Tuesday of the Other June” by Norma Fox Mazer. Short takes: A short story collection for young readers. New York: Lothrop, Lee, and Shepard.

Literature Resources – a way to initiate meaningful discussions – 7th grade

“Muffin” by Susan Cooper. When I was your age. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick.

“Shortcut” by Nancy Werlin. On the fringe. New York: Dial Books.

Literature Resources - a way to initiate meaningful discussions – 8th grade

“Your Turn, Norma” by Gary Soto. Petty crimes. San Diego: Harcourt Brace.

“Satyagrapha” by Alden Carter. On the fringe. New York: Dial Books.

Source

Taken from “Young Adult Literature as the Centerpiece of an Anti-Bullying Program in Middle School”, by Carol Hillsberg and Helene Spak, Middle School Journal, November 2006.

Odd Girl Out by Rachel Simmons.

A national best-seller that was adapted to a television movie of the same title.

Video Resources

Broken Toy. (1992). Presents scenarios in the life of a 12 year old boy who is the victim of bullying.

Bully Beware! Take Action against Bullying. (1997). Contains four scenarios of bullying incidents in middle school. Teacher’s guide included.

Video Resources

Don’t Pick on Me. (1993). Two-part program that identifies basic underlying dynamics of teasing and harassment. Provides the basis for generating discussion regarding such behavior.

The message to our students

We will not bully others. We will help students who are bullied. We will make a point to include

students who are easily left out. If we know someone is being bullied,

we will tell an adult at school.

Action Plan for the Immediate Future

What can you do now, over the next couple of weeks, concerning the issue of bullying.

School Plan

What do we envision??

Other Websites

www.bullying.org www.no-bully.com cyberbully.org www.netbullies.com