This document discusses school bullying, including definitions, types, victims, bullies, and ways schools can address it. It defines bullying as when a student repeatedly targets the same victim physically, verbally, or socially to harm them by exploiting an imbalance of power. Bullying can inflict physical, emotional, or social damage. Victims are often insecure with low self-esteem while bullies have a strong sense of self and like feeling powerful. Schools can develop anti-bullying policies, implement classroom curriculum to teach problem-solving skills, and raise awareness through surveys and parent engagement to address bullying.

1. Preventing
School
Bullying
Editha T.
Honradez
Ma-EdGuidance and Counseling

2. What is school bullying?
School bullying can be described as a situation in which
one or more students (the ‘bullies’) single out a child (the
‘victim’) and engage in behaviors intended to harm that
child.
A bully will frequently target the same victim repeatedly
over time. A child who bullies can dominate the victim
because the bully possesses more power than the victim.
Compared to his or her victim, for example, the bully may
be physically stronger or more intelligent, have a larger
circle of friends, or possess a higher social standing.
Bullying can inflict physical harm, emotional distress, and /
or social embarrassment or humiliation.

3. • Bullying is a dynamic of unhealthy
interaction. It is a form of repeated
aggression used from a position of power.
It can be physical, verbal, or social.
• Physical or psychological intimidation that
occurs repeatedly over time
• Bullying can be overt (i.e., teasing,
hitting, or stealing); boys are most often
overt bullies
. Bullying can covert (i.e., spreading rumors
or exclusion); girls are most often covert
bullies

4. What Is Bullying?
Pushing, hittin
g, kicking
Physical (Actions)
Bullying:
Deliberate (on
purpose)
Repeated (more
than once)
Power Imbalanced
(unequal power)
Excluding,
spreading,
rumors, telling
lies
Indirect (Behind Your Back)
Yelling,
teasing,
insulting
Verbal (Words)

5. Who Are The Victims of Bullying
Children who are
bullied are often
insecure, socially
isolated, anxious,
and have low
self-esteem
Parents of
children who
are bullied are
often
overprotective
or enmeshed
with their
children
They are
unlikely to
defend
themselves
or retaliate
They tend
to be
weaker
than their
peers
Children who are
bullied perceive
parent or teacher
intervention to be
ineffective and
are unlikely to
report the
problem

6. Who Are Bullies?
Children who bully typically
demonstrate a strong sense of
self-esteem
They like to feel powerful and in
control
Bullies often come from homes
that use physical punishment to
discipline
Caregivers of bullies are typically
uninvolved and lack warmth
Children who bully are often
defiant toward authority figures
and are apt to break rules

7. Why Most Bullying Is Not Reported
• Don’t recognize it as bullying
• Are embarrassed
• Don’t want to appear weak
• Believe they deserve it
•Want to belong
• Fear retaliation
• Don’t know how to talk about it
• Don’t have a trusted adult to confide in
• Think adults won’t understand
• Think nothing can be done about it

8. What are some warning signs of bullying?
• Evidence
of physical abuse, such as bruises and scratches
• Unexplained
damage or loss ofclothing and other personal items
• Loss of friends; changes in friends
• Reluctance to
participate in activities with peers
• Loss of interest in favorite activities
• Unusually sad, moody, anxious, lonely, or depressed
• Headaches, stomachaches, or other physical complaints
• Problems with eating, sleeping, bed-wetting
• Decline in school achievement
• Thoughts of suicide

9. What impact does bullying have on its victims?
Victims of bullying may
experience problems with
academics,
They may engage in specific
strategies to dodge the bully
They may even develop an
apparent phobia about
attending school.
Bullying can also leave a lasting
imprint on its victims. Victims of
bullying are often socially
marginalized to start with, having
few if any friends.
Individuals who were
chronically bullied as
children may show
symptoms of
depression and poor
self-esteem as adults.

10. What can schools do to stop bullying?
• Develop a school-wide bullying policy to:
raise awareness of teachers and administrators
create a framework for responding to bullying
improve overall school environment
ensure change is occurring in the classroom
empower students through programs such
as peer counseling, mediation, or conflict resolution

11. What can schools do to stop bullying?
• Implement classroom curriculum:
Develop classroom rules against
bullying
Develop cooperative learning projects
that encourage teamwork and reduce
social isolation
Create activities or assignments that
teach problem-solving or conflictresolution skills
Participate in role-playing or other
activities to help children understand
the perspectives of others and
identify feelings

12. What can schools do to stop bullying?
Raise awareness of bullying:
Allow students to fill out surveys
to better understand their
perspective of bullying
 Inform caregivers of
bullying policies/curriculum
through
conferences, newsletters, or
PTA meetings
 Encourage parent
involvement in anti-bullying
initiatives

13. Books & Articles:
Eyes on Bullying What Can You Do?
Website: eyesonbullying.org
Email: eyesonbullying@edc.org
Preventing Classroom Bullying: What Teachers Can Do
Jim Wright
http://www.interventioncentral.org
First Published: April 2003 Revised: February 2004
ERIC (1997). What should parents and teachers know about bullying?
[Brochure]. US Department of Education.
Daniel F. Perkins, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Family and Youth
Resiliency and Policy, The Pennsylvania State University, Department of
Agricultural and Extension Education, 3232 Agriculture Administration
Building, University ParK, 16802-2601.