POLICE ASSOCIATION OF NOVA SCOTIA 141 Bullying Information for Young People You may think that as long as you’re not the bully you’re not hurting anyone, but that’s not true—the bystander plays an important role in a bullying situation. Bystanders have the power to help stop bullying • Bystanders (other kids watching) are present most of the time (85%) when there is a bully episode on the playground or in the classroom. • Most kids feel uncomfortable witnessing bullying, but very few intervene. • When peers step in; the bullying stops within ten seconds 57% of the time. How Bystanders Can Help You’re a “bystander” if you watch the bullying, but don’t take part in it. In fact, you are exactly the audience that the bully wants. But you can help stop the bullying. Here are some tips: • Recognize bullying- It’s not just physical. It can be social and verbal as well. Telling someone they’re “ugly” is considered bullying, and can be just as hurtful as hitting them. • Walk away - By standing around and watching, you encourage the bully. Walk away and go get help. There are no innocent bystanders. If you’re standing around watching, you’re part of the problem not the solution. • Encourage bystanders to get involved as a group - Band together and walk away. • Keep track of places where bullying is taking place - If you tell an adult in charge, they will monitor these areas more closely. • Speak up- Tell the bully that they’re wrong and that you won’t get involved in any bullying. • Help the victim- Put yourself in their shoes. Would you want someone to help you if you were being picked on? Of course! • Don’t join in - Don’t call kids names or pick on them. Bullies try to get other kids to join in. • Be a friend to the kid being bullied. Ask them to tell a grown-up. Go with them if they’re scared. • Believe the kid being bullied and what they say. • Find help from teachers, parents, friends, or other grown-ups. Tell someone if you see a kid being bullied. Telling is not tattling! Tattling is when you want to get someone in trouble. When you report bullying, you are helping someone else. It is important to know and understand the difference. If you’re scared of the bully, then don’t let them know you told. • Don’t fight the bully. It’s not safe. Go tell a grown-up instead. It’s Different For Boys and Girls… If you find yourself in a situation where you are being pressured into doing something you don’t want to do, try these tools. Boys and girls have different experiences with bullying, so we have some tips for both of you. Boys: • STOP and THINK. Don’t just rush in. • Walk away. • Make a joke, sometimes humour is the best way to relieve tension. • Let it pass, ignore the situation and carry on as if nothing happened. • Talk it out. It can be a teacher or a friend. If something is really bothering you, talk about it. • Create a scene to draw attention away from the bullying. Yell, sing, and jump around, anything that will draw people away from the bully. Girls: • Speak up! You have a right to be heard. • Have a positive attitude. • Make up your own mind. Just because everyone else is doing it, doesn’t mean you have to as well. • Choose your friends carefully. Like them for their good qualities, not just because they’re popular. • Be true to yourself. In the end, no one matters more than you do. continued...
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