Teasing/Bullying/Harassment- Definitions and Strategies
Evergreen Expectations
- Treat each other well.
- Keep hands and feet to yourself.
- Be ready to learn
Definitions
Teasing:
Making fun of someone or taunting them. Kids are often teased about their appearance, weight, behavior, abilities, and clothing. Teasing can either be playful or hurtful.
Bullying:
Behavior that is purposefully meant to hurt, embarrass, or humiliate the target. Bullying involves an imbalance in power and the bullying behavior is repeated.
Harassment:
Irritating or tormenting persistently. Can be similar to teasing, but not playful.
Intimidation:
Influence or force by fear or threats.
Retaliation:
Continuation of harassment behaviors after directed to stop.
Target:
A person at which teasing/bullying/harassment behaviors are directed.
Bystander:
A person who is present when bullying occurs, but does no participate in the bullying.
Strategies: For the target
If you are target of bullying, tell yourself it is NOT your fault.
Speak up for yourself without being rude or mean to the bully.
Use “I” statements…”I don’t like it when you call me names. Please stop.”
Look the bully in the eye and act confidently…getting upset means that the bully got to you and that is what they want. It is important to stay calm.
Hangout with a group of friends. Bullies are less likely to pick on a group of kids.
Ignore the person that is bullying you and walk away. If you don’t react it takes away their power to try to make you feel bad about yourself.
Use humor, if you can. Make a joke out of way they are saying or agree with them…they make fun of your shirt, tell them you don’t like it either (if you don’t).
TELL AN ADULT. We have a teasing/bullying/harassment policy for a reason.
If the bully is physical with you, do not fight back. There is a difference between defending yourself and getting physical with a bully. Get help from an adult or tell someone to get help. Stay in a group!!
Strategies: For the bystander
If you see someone being bullied, stand up to the bully but don’t get in a physical fight. Tell the bully that you don’t like what they are doing and want it to stop.
Be friendly toward the target. Listen to what they have to say.
Walk away from the situation and bring other bystanders with you. Take away the bullies audience.
Encourage the person being targeted to tell an adult.
You are either for bullying or against it. If you don’t take action than you are saying that you are ok with it. Do something to help the kids in our school that are bullied.
Strategies: For the bully
Realize the hurting other people doesn’t make you important or cool, it makes you mean.
Find a way to be a leader without harming others- sports, community activities, hobbies, etc.
Ask an adult you trust for advice or help on how to act more positively toward others if you are having trouble.
You don’t have to physically hurt someone to be a bully- spreading rumors, gossiping, calling someone names, leaving people out, and giving dirty looks are all bullying behavior.
Treat others as you want to be treated.