Barbi Frank

General Information and  Definition:

Bullies are one or more individuals inflicting physical, verbal or emotional abuse on another person. Bullying is any mean word, look, sign, or act that hurts a person's body, feelings or things.

Bullying implies an imbalance of power or strength.

Bullying behaviors may include but are not limited to:

Bullying can be DIRECT and include:

• Physical:  Hitting, kicking, shoving, pushing, spitting or invasion of personal space
• Verbal:  Taunting, teasing, name-calling, mimicking or verbal, sexual or racial harrassment.
• Non-verbal:  Threatening or obscene gestures.

Bullying can also be INDIRECT and may include:

• Physical:  Getting another person to assult or hurt someone.
• Verbal:  Spreading rumors
• Non-Verbal:  Exclusion from a group or activity,  cyberbullying

Websites

8 ways to Banish Bullying: http://www.care.com/child-care-8-ways-to-banish-bullying-p1017-q8181798.html

How to be a Plugged-in Parent: http://www.care.com/child-care-how-to-be-a-plugged-in-parent-p1017-q8150598.html

Gulp! What to do When Your Child is the Bully: http://www.care.com/child-care-gulp-what-to-do-when-your-child-is-the-bully-p1017-q8563941.html

Top 5 Tips for Dealing with Bullying in Your Family: http://www.care.com/child-care-top-5-tips-for-dealing-with-bullying-in-your-family-p1017-q8764368.html

Signs Your Child is a Bully or Being Bullied: http://www.care.com/child-care-signs-your-child-is-a-bully-or-being-bullied-p1017-q8179037.html

Cyberbullying is Parents’ #1 Fear: http://www.care.com/child-care-survey-cyberbullying-is-parents-1-fear-p1017-q3629717.html

OMG-The Mean Girl Saga Starts at Age 4: http://www.care.com/child-care-omg-the-mean-girl-saga-starts-at-age-4-p1017-q6010589.html

Facts and Myths About Bullying

Prevalance of Bullying

·   Nansel et al. (2001):  In a National sample of 15,600 students in   grades 6-10,  19% of students reported bullying others "sometimes" or more often during the school term;  17% reported being bullied "sometimes" or  more often; and  6.3% reported bullying and being bullied.  

·   Girls bully just as much as boys; they just do it differently. Similarities:  Both boys and girls engage in frequent verbal bullying.   Girls and boys engage in relational bullying. Differences:  Boys are more likely to physically bully.   Girls are more likely to use more subtle and indirect forms of bullying: social exclusion, rumor-spreading, friendship manipulation.   

·   Boys are bullied primarily by boys; girls are bullied by boys and  girls.  

Reporting of Bullying

·   Most Students do not report bullying to school staff.  

·   Older students and boys are less likely than younger students and girls to report their victimization.

·   Bullying effects everyone: those who are bullied, those who bully and those who are bystanders.