What should you do if your child is a victim of bullying? |
In a national study on bullying, the researchers found that nearly 30 percent of 6th through 10th grade students reported moderate to frequent involvement in bullying, either as a bully themselves, as a victim of bullying, or as both a bully and victim.
As a parent, the first thing you need to recognize regarding bullying is that it should never be ignored. No bullying behavior should be considered a normal part of growing up. Bullying is abusive behavior that has a negative impact on children. Children who are bullied are more likely than other children to:Bullying may involve many forms, including physical actions such as fighting, shoving, kicking or hitting. Psychological actions may include harassing (either in person or electronically), rejecting, excluding, gossiping, use of threats or intimidation. The bully may embarrass or degrade the victim, may spread rumors, make fun of, or engage in name-calling.
1. Watch for signs of bullying. Children frequently are too embarrassed or afraid to tell an adult about being bullied. Be familiar with the signs of bullying, such as frequent headaches, stomachaches, or not wanting to go to school. If your child tells you about being bullied, it has taken a lot of courage to do so. Your child needs your help to stop the bullying.
2. Focus on your child. Empathize with your child. Tell him/her that bullying is wrong, not their fault, and that you are glad he/she had the courage to tell you about it. Be supportive and gather information about the bullying. Ask your child what he/she thinks can be done to help. Assure him/her that you will think about what needs to be done and will let him/her know what steps might be taken to address the problem.
3. Contact your child's teacher or principal. If physical violence is involved, or if bullying persists, contact your child's teacher or principal. Emphasize that you want to work with the school to find a solution to stop the bullying, for the sake of your child as well as other students. Talk regularly with your child and school staff to see if the bullying has stopped.
