Bullying Victimization and Bullicide: Implications for School Safety

1
Bullying Victimization and Bullicide
Implications for School Safety

• Dr. Scott Poland
• Nova Southeastern University

2
Reality of Bullying

• Bullying Facts from U.S. Department of Education
  Website
• Bullying peaks in middle childhood
• Studies show 15 to 25 of students are being
  bullied with some frequency
• Most common forms are being made fun of, being
  the subject of rumors, being pushed, shoved,
  kicked, tripped or spit on
• Only 1/3 of the victims told an adult

3
Reality of Bullying

• Cyber bullying is a new phenomena and increases
  the complexity and challenge of intervention
• Children with disabilities are at higher risk to
  be bullied
• GLBT youth are more likely to be bullied than
  their heterosexual peers

4
New Term Bullicide

• Parents believe that schools failure to stop the
  bullying greatly contributed to their childs
  depression and suicide is a foreseeable
  consequence of the schools failure to identify
  and constrain bullies from victimization.
• Jasperson v. Anoka-Hennepin MN State Appeals
  Court found the suicide of an 8th grader was not
  foreseeable to school personnel. School personnel
  did not know the student continued to be
  victimized and that his failing grades were due
  to fear. There was no causal connection between
  the conduct of school personnel and the tragic
  suicide. All school personnel acted within their
  discretion without malice and were entitled to
  official immunity.

5
My Most Recent Congressional Testimony

• Strengthening School Safety and Prevention of
  Bullying
• House Education and Labor Joint Subcommittee on
  July 8, 2009
• Focus of my testimony
• Other witnesses Ms. Walker, Parent, Student
  President of S.A.V.E., Ken Trump, School Security

6
Importance of Building Relationships and
Connections

• The Fourth R article
• Research on bullying prevention is still
  developing
• We know that positive interactions and good
  relationships between staff and students can
  significantly reduce bullying
• Creating connections is a critical element (U.S.
  Department of Education Website)
• Maslows Hierarchy
• Principal letter to parents example
• One example, Cypress-Fairbanks I.S.D. ROPES
  Program
• Adventure based program and more information at
  www.pa.org
•  

7
Parental Involvement is Preventative

• Children want adults involved in their lives
  (letter example)
• Many tragedies can be prevented
• Examples of questionable parental practices
• Where is the Full Value Meal?
• Parenting more challenging as children are
  exposed to more violence and more advanced
  technology than ever before
• There is something dangerous and largely
  unguarded in almost every home!

8
Definition of Bullying

• Bullying occurs when a person is exposed
  repeatedly and over time to negative actions on
  the part of one or more persons (Olweus).
• It is victimization not conflict!

9
Definition of Bullying

• Repetitive
• Humiliating
• Physical and/or verbal
• Involves power

10
Questions for Audience

• What should adults at school do if they see
  bullying? CA. case featured on Good Morning
  America 1/20/10
• How do we best support the bullying victim
• What should a parent do if their child is
  engaging in bullying behavior?
• How can a parent best support their child when
  they are the victim of bullying?
• What constitutes an effective school bullying
  prevention program?

11
Consequences of Bullying

• Dislike and avoidance of school.
• Difficulty concentrating on school tasks.
• Grades suffer.
• The damaging feelings of self-worth that results
  from bullying makes it impossible for the victims
  to reach their academic and social potential.

12
Consequences of Bullying

• Emotional distress
• Depression
• Loneliness
• Lowered self-esteem
• Suicidal ideation and attempts
• Victimization during the middle school years
  predicts depression and lower-self esteem 10
  years after bullying has ended.

13
Bullying Facts

• A majority of school shooters report being
  bullied.
• School shooters were twice as likely as same age
  peers to have been bullied.

14
Quotes From School Shooter, Evan Ramsey

• I got stuff thrown at me. I got spit on. I got
  beat up. Sometimes I fought back but I was not
  good at fighting.
• After a while the principal told me to just
  start ignoring everybody. But then you cant take
  it anymore.
• I felt a sense of power with a gun. It was the
  only way to get rid of anger.
• I would have a different life if I hadnt been
  treated like that.

15
Final Diary Pages of 13 year old Shooter,
Vijay Singh

• I shall remember forever and will never forget
• Monday my money was taken
• Tuesday names called
• Wednesday my uniform torn
• Thursday my body pouring with blood
• Friday it ended
• Saturday freedom...

16
Bullying Facts

• Bullied children are more likely to be anxious or
  depressed and more likely to take their own
  lives.
• Suicide is the third leading cause of death among
  15 to 24 year olds and the fourth for those aged
  10 to 14.

17
2009 YRBSS Results

• Surveyed 15,000 H.S students and in the last year
• 26.1 reported being sad or hopeless
• 10.9 made a suicide plan
• 6.3 made an attempt

18
Schools and Suicide Prevention

• It is everyones responsibility and the vast
  majority of suicides can be prevented
• Know the warning signs and the importance of
  working with a team to get help for a suicidal
  student
• Separate facts from misperceptions about suicide
• Link with community resources and agencies

19
Schools and Suicide Prevention

• Provide annual training for school staff on the
  warning signs and the importance of not keeping a
  secret about suicidal behavior
• Provide presentations for parents on safeguarding
  their children and the warning signs of suicide
• Investigate depression screening programs
• Create a prevention task force and involve the
  community
• Designate/develop a suicide prevention expert

20
American Association of Suicidology School
Suicide Prevention Accreditation Program

• Designed for support and mental health
  professionals
• Become your school/community authority
• Know best/evidence based practices
• Reading list and sample exam provided
• Includes membership and ongoing support
• For more information, please visit
  www.suicidology.org

21
GLBT Issues

• Higher rates for youth not due to identity but
  unique complications nothing inherently
  suicidal about same sex orientation
• Research has spotlighted greater risk of suicide
  compared to peers
• External factors conflict, harassment, being
  bullied, abuse, rejection, lack of support
• Advocacy for GLBT population in school often met
  with resistance

22
Jason 15, Utah Teen NY Times Quote 1/2/11

• When word spread at school that I came out and
  was gay, I was pushed against lockers and spit on
  in the hallway. A 9th grade gym teacher wanted to
  bar me from class and a girl sent me a note
  saying I had to repent and let Jesus into my
  heart.

23
Helena, Montana School District

• Controversial K-12 proposed curriculum regarding
  sexuality and tolerance.
• 1st grade students Human beings can love people
  of the same gender.
• 5th grade students Sexual intercourse can
  involve vaginal, oral or anal penetration.
• Gave rise to strong resistance and wording was
  eventually modified.
• Most states have policies against harassment
  however, only about 10 states have specific
  anti-bullying policies related to sexual
  orientation.
• Source Eckholm, E. (November, 6, 2010).In
  Efforts to End Bullying, Some See Agenda. The
  
• New York Times.

24
GLSEN

• Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network
  (GLSEN)
• Through research-based interventions, GLSEN
• provides resources and support for schools
  to
• implement effective and age-appropriate
  anti-
• bullying programs to improve school climate
  for all
• students (Cited from GLSEN website).
• For more information, please visit www.glsen.org

25
Safe Zone

• Safe Zone is a program designed to identify
• people in Tallahassee, FL who consider
• themselves to be open to and knowledgeable
  
• about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
  transgender
• (LGBT) issues. Members display a Safe Zone
• symbol to demonstrate their acceptance of
  LGBT
• individuals (Cited from Safe Zone Website).
• For more information, please visit
  safezone.fsu.edu/

26
Why Students Bully

• To gain power over others.
• To get a thrill.
• To act out problems at home.

• To copy someone who they think is cool.
• To join in with the crowd.
• To gain attention and popularity.

27
Characteristics of Bullies

• Both boys and girls bully.
• Bullies have a strong need to dominate others.
• They enjoy the control over victims.

• Bullies often have a positive and unrealistic
  self-concept.
• Bullies are not always loners.
• Bullies may have a small group of friends who
  admire their behavior.

28
Characteristics of Bullies

• Bullies come in all sizes, shapes and abilities.
• They do not need to be larger to dominate their
  victims.
• They often feel justified in their actions.

• They lack guilt and remorse.
• They like gaining material possessions.
• A bully often gets a thrill from exerting power.

29
Characteristics of Bullies

• They often think in unrealistic ways.
• Olweus found that children identified as a bully
  at age 8 were six times more likely to be
  convicted of a crime by age 24.

• Bullies were five times more likely to end up
  with a criminal record by age 30.
• Bullies tend to be at least average academically
  or only slightly below.

30
Gender Differences in Bullying

• Boys tend to use direct bullying.
• Boys tend to use physical aggression.
• Boys call their behavior bullying more often than
  girls.
• Boys tend to be older than their targets.

• Girls tend to use social alienation or spreading
  rumors.
• Girls are more likely to be bullied by a group.
• Girls are more likely to involve both boys and
  girls in victimizing.

31
Bully Thinking Errors

• Everything should always go my way.
• I do not care if I hurt others.
• Success should come easily. I will quit if
  things dont work.
• I do not need to follow rules.

• Lying will get you out of trouble.
• I should not have to do boring things.
• Most problems are not my fault.
• Most students my age are always pleasing adults
  and are boring.

32
How Can School Staff Help a Student who is
Bullying Others?

• Let them know consequences are inevitable,
  consistent, and non-hostile and escalate in
  severity
• Hold them accountable and confront the excuses
  they make for their behavior
• Let them know that school staff will be watching
  for further bullying behavior
• Assess possible reasons for their behavior

33
How Can School Staff Help a Student Who is
Bullying Others?

• Contact and conference with their parents
• Consider referral for mental health treatment
• Help them to develop empathy for others
• Encourage involvement in prosocial activities
• Reward them for appropriate behavior towards
  others

34
What Works With Bullies

• Assertion rather than aggression is recommended.
• Bullies need to be confronted by a group of peers
  who support the target and will not tolerate
  bullying.

• Bullies need to be taught specific skills and
  correct their errors in thinking about life.
• Bullies can be taught responsible behavior at
  school.

35
What Works With Bullies

• Use a no-nonsense style.
• Do not have a long discussion.
• Re-channel power.

• Identify the victims feelings.
• Build empathy for the victim.
• Set the culture of the school.

36
Bullying

• Philosophical issues/acceptance
• Bystander/Witness issue
• Importance of school-wide approach
• Legislation in 45 states to date

37
Why Dont Bystanders Get Involved?

• Not sure of what to do.
• They are afraid of retaliation.
• They are afraid that they will become ostracized
  by their existing friends or social group.
• They are concerned they might do the wrong thing
  and make the situation worse.
• They think adults wont help.
• It is the bystanders that must have the courage
  to say something and step forward to stop
  bullying Bill Modzeleski U.S.D.O.E.

38
Why Dont Students Tell Adults About Violent
Threats?

• The Conspiracy of Silence!

39
Why Victims Dont Tell

• They are ashamed of being bullied.
• They are justifiably afraid of retaliation.
• They dont think anyone can help themthe bully
  is too powerful.
• They believe the lie that bullying is just a part
  of growing up.
• They see adults ignoring the bullying.
• They believe it is not acceptable to rat on a
  peer.

40
What Should School Staff Do if They Hear or See
Bullying?

• Take immediate action and stand between bully and
  the victim
• Support the victim but without questioning them
  in front of others
• Provide additional support for the victim
  privately
• Let all students know that bullying behavior is
  not acceptable and include bystanders in the
  conversation about how to intervene next time
• Provide immediate consequences for the bully or
  refer them to the appropriate personnel

41
What Should School Staff Do if They Hear or See
Bullying?

• Do not require students to meet and work things
  out
• Share information with other staff about the
  incident
• Let the bully know that you and other staff will
  be watching them closely
• Let the victim know the next steps that will be
  taken and urge them to report any further
  incidents

42
Key Points for Schools

• The attitude of school staff are the key to
  reducing bullying.
• Importance of building relationships.
• It is not about the bully! It is about the school
  climate!

43
School Program Emphasis

• Converts a silent majority of students into a
  caring majority who do not tolerate bullying.
• Students are taught to stand up to the bullies
  with the promise of adult support.

• Emphasizes strength in numbers.
• Through discussion and role plays students are
  taught how to support each other.
• They practice caring behaviors.

44
School Program Emphasis

• Acts of kindness are celebrated.
• Students let adults know when bullying occurs and
  adults are taught how to intervene.

• A clear message is presented that bullying is not
  tolerated and caring is valued.

45
What To Avoid

• Short term prevention program with a piece meal
  approach
• Zero Tolerance Programs and 3 strikes you are out
  programs
• Providing conflict resolution or peer mediation
  to reduce bullying

46
Teacher and Staff Training

• Distinguishing normal peer conflict from
  bully-victim problems.
• Characteristics of bullies and victims.
• The serious nature of bullying and the need for
  adults to help.

• The need for staff cohesion on supporting a zero
  tolerance for bullying policy.
• Awareness of ones own style in handling
  conflict.

47
Teacher and Staff Training

• Effective strategies and disciplinary approaches
  for handling bullies.
• Effective strategies to support targets.
• Developing a caring majority to change the school
  climate.

• Reinforcing caring behaviors within the school.
• Teaching bully-proofing curriculums.

48
Reduce Bullying.

• Turn the silent majority into a caring
  majority.

49
School Safety Examples

• Create task force and include students
• Use student safety/bullying prevention pledges
• Floor plan exercise
• Survey students

50

• Safety is an inside job that most of all involves
  a commitment from the student body!

51
Student Involvement and Commitment is the Key

• Student survey input needed to determine the
  extent of the problem but surveys often are met
  with resistance
• Hold student meetings and create task forces
• Train all students and then gain a commitment
  through pledges
• Utilizing the arts through drama and music to
  create awareness and prevention programs
• Creating a means for anonymous reporting

52
What if My Child is Bullying Others?

• Take it seriously and let them know it will not
  be tolerated
• Develop clear and consistent rules for your
  childs behavior
• Spend time with them and increase your
  supervision
• Build on their strengths
• Share information with adults and get help

53
What if My Child is Being Bullied?

• Take it seriously and do not ignore it or blame
  your child
• Listen carefully and learn as much as you can
  about the bullying incidents
• Empathize and let them know the bullying is wrong
• Ask your child what will help
• Do not encourage physical retaliation
• Step back and consider your emotions and options
  carefully
• Do not contact the parents of the bully as that
  may make the situation worse
•  

54
Who Should I Contact if My Child is Being Bullied
at School?

• Contact your childs teacher as bullying often
  does not stop without adult interventions
• Ask the teacher to alert other school staff to
  the problem
• If you are not comfortable with the teachers
  response make an appointment with the principal
• Commit to making the bullying stop and to talking
  regularly with your child and the school staff

55
How Can My Child Become More Resistant to
Bullying?

• Help develop their talents and positive
  attributes and areas/activities where they are
  successfulfine their niche!
• Encourage your child to build friendships
• Teach your child safety strategies and how to
  seek adult help
• Make sure your home is a safe and loving
  environment where they feel sheltered
• Be alert for signs of cyber bullying
• Maintain open communication with your child and
  create times when your child will truly talk to
  you

56
Protective FactorsSource World Health
Association

• Family cohesion and stability
• Coping and problem solving skills
• Positive self worth and impulse control
• Positive connections to school and
  extracurricular participation
• Successful academically

57

Protective Factors

• Good relationships with other youth
• Seeks adult help when needed
• Lack of access to suicidal means
• Access to mental health care
• Religiosity

58
Evidenced Based Programs

• Olewus Bullying Prevention Program
• Second Step
• Steps To Respect

59
Best Practices Final Thoughts

• Hold parent meetings and provide training
• School wide program where all staff engage and
  cooperate towards common goal
• Increase staff supervision in areas where
  bullying occurs the most
• Take immediate action to stop bullying when it
  occurs
• Provide consequences for bullies
• Provide support for victims

60
Federal Anti-bullying Program

• Take A Stand Lend A Hand Stop Bullying
• www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/index.asp
• www.bullyinginfo.org

61
Contact Information

• Email spoland_at_nova.edu
• Website www.scottpoland.com