Bullying Facts

• Many students miss school because of fear (Olweus).

• Boys are more likely to bully others.

• Girls and boys bully differently (boys-physical; girls-social).

• 19% of students in grades 6-9 reported bullying others "sometimes" or more often during the school term (Nansel, 2001).

• 23% reported being bullied "several times" or more frequently (Melton, 1998).

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

• Most bullying is verbal rather than physical (Mullin-Rindler 2001).

• 60% of bullies in grades 6-9 had a criminal conviction by age 24.

• Victims fear retaliation, so very often they do not report acts of bullying.

If Your Child is Being Bullied

• Don't panic. Listen before you react.

• Avoid blaming your child.

• Don't tell your child to fight back; instead, teach them to be assertive and use words to stand up for themselves.

• Help kids learn strategies to avoid encounters with bullies (safety in numbers).

• Instruct your child to walk away and get adult help.

• Tell the school immediately and keep a written record of what happened.

If Your Child Bullies Others

• Take the problem seriously.

• Supervise your child's activities/computer use more closely.

• Don't tolerate behavior that hurts others and respond swiftly and consistently by restricting time with others.

• Help your child make amends.

• Be a good role model-avoid using bullying behaviors at home.