Bullying is defined as unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. Bullying includes threats, spreading rumors, attacking others physically or verbally, excluding someone from a group or purpose and cyberbullying. The behavior is repeated over time.
How Bad is It?
- One in four students report being bullied during the school year
- 64% of children who were bullied did not report it
- Nearly 20% of high school students report being cyber bullied at school in the past year
Signs Someone is Being Bullied:
- Unexplained injuries
- Lost or destroyed clothing, books, electronics, jewelry
- Frequent headaches, stomach aches or faking illness
- Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares and changes in eating habits
- Declining grades, not wanting to go to school
- Sudden loss of friends
- Self-destructive behaviors: running away, self-harm, talk of suicide
Signs Someone is Bullying Others:
- Getting to physical or verbal fights
- Has friends who bully others
- Is increasingly aggressive
- Unexplained money or possessions
- Sent to school administration or detention frequently
Why Don’t They Ask for Help:
- Bullying makes one feel hopeless and they may fear being seen as weak or a tattletale
- They may fear backlash
- Bullying is humiliating and they don’t want to share the shame or risk judgement of others
- They are often already socially isolated and this makes them fear more so.
- They may feel no one cares or understands
What Can Help?
- School based bullying programs decrease bullying by up to 25%
- Improved supervision in schools
- Paying attention to the signs and be willing to intervene on their behalf
- Talk to children, let them know you are supportive and available
If you think your child is a victim of bullying or is bullying someone else, contact Southeast, Inc. at 740-695-9344 or Tri-County Help Center at 740-695-5441. Services are available in Belmont, Harrison, and Monroe Counties.