Violence - Bullying

One of the most common forms of violence experienced by youth is bullying. It is a form of violence that can have devastating effects on your children, and requires action on the part of adults in order to stop it!

	How Common Is Bullying? One recent national survey indicated that: -15-25% of U.S. students are bullied with some frequency -15-20% of U.S. students bully others with some frequency

Three Defining Elements of Bullying:

1. Imbalance of power-Bullies rely on an imbalance of power that is in their favor. Individual bullies may be older, bigger, or higher on the social ladder, or a group of children can band together to create the power imbalance.
2. Intent to harm-Bullies intend to inflict emotional and/or physical pain! They expect their actions to hurt, and they take pleasure in witnessing the hurt.
3. Threat of further aggression-Bullies are seeking targets that will allow them to continue the aggression. Both the bully and the bullied understand that the acts can, and probably will, occur again.

Three Types of Bullying:

1. Verbal-Words are powerful and can break the spirit of a child! Experts estimate that 70% of all bullying reported is verbal. And, this type of bullying is not so easily detectable by others.
2. Physical-This type of bullying accounts for about one-third of all reported cases and is easily the most visible form.
3. Relational-This is the most difficult form to detect. Common methods include ignoring, excluding, and shunning. This is a "silent" form that typically involves subtle gestures that have a tremendous impact on the bullied child. When combined with rumors (verbal), the impact can be devastating.

Warning Signs of a BULLIED Child

• Abrupt lack of interest in school
• Takes an unusual route to school
• Suffers a drop in grades
• Withdraws from family and school activities
• Is often hungry after school, saying "I lost my money," or "I wasn't hungry today."
• Takes money from parents
• Goes directly to the bathroom when he or she gets home
• Sad, sullen, angry, or scared after receiving phone calls or emails
• Does something completely out of character
• Often uses derogatory or demeaning language when talking about peers
• Stops talking about peers and doing everyday activities
• Disheveled, torn, or missing clothing
• Physical injuries not consistent with the child's explanation of how they happened
• Stomachaches, headaches, panic attacks, unable to sleep/sleeps too much

Warning Signs of a BULLY Child

• Poor school performance
• Violent or aggressive behavior, "hot-tempered"
• Intimidation towards other children, including siblings
• Is "tough," shows no sympathy toward others
• Is involved with crime
• Cruelty to animals