By PRVNET (Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Network) | @PREVNet
With school soon well underway, educators and parents and have dived into back to school preparations for children. Bullying prevention should be at the top of the list, as more than 1,100,000 Canadian school-aged children are bullied at least once, each and every week.
Both educators and parents can help protect their children against bullying at school, says Dr. Wendy Craig, an international leader in research on bullying, Professor of Psychology at Queen’s University in Kingston, ON, and Scientific Co-director of PREVNet (Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Network).
Top 10 Bullying Facts and Prevention Tips
1. Bullying is a relationship problem in which a person or group repeatedly uses power to cause distress to another. It can be verbal, physical or electronic.
2. Both children who are bullied and who bully are at risk for academic problems. Children who are bullied are at risk for absenteeism, and children who bully are at risk for dropping out.
3. Peers are present during 88% of bullying incidents. When peers intervene, bullying stops in less than 10 seconds, 57% of the time.
4. Make it clear that you think bullying is wrong and encourage kids to stand up for kids who are bullied — they can’t always do it themselves.
5. Understand that kids who walk away and get help are part of the solution. If they stay and watch, they are part of the problem.
6. Be proactive. Use Bullying Awareness Week (Nov. 12-17) and other opportunities to start a discussion with your class and address the topic often.
7. Refer to the new Bullying Awareness Week Teacher’s Guide, created by PREVNet and the Family Channel, available September 4. The guide features activities and role-playing scenarios for the classroom, as well as resources and tip sheets for students. See www.family.ca/standup.
8. Let kids know that you will help solve the problem, whether the child is a victim, the bully or a witness to bullying.
9. Be a positive role model by demonstrating acceptance of all differences.
10. Invite kids who are bullied to play somewhere else.
For more information about PREVNet visit www.prevnet.ca
