Bullying

Bullying is not a normal phase or stage that children go through. Bullying can be physical, emotional, verbal or electronic but all bullying is wrong and hurtful. According to the Government of Canada's Healthy Canadians website, bullying is often defined as "wilful, repeated aggressive behaviour that is used by a child to maintain power over another child." The result is "a victimized child caught in an abusive relationship." Bullying may include the following:

• Unequal power - One child has more power than another child (or it seems this way to the children involved).
• Hurtful actions - Physically or psychologically harmful behaviour takes place (such as name-calling, insults, threats, kicking, hitting, punching, and so on).
• Direct or indirect actions - The abusive behaviour may be face-to-face or done behind a child's back (such as teasing, exclusion, gossiping and spreading rumours).
• Repetitive behaviour - The hurtful actions keep happening, so the child being affected finds it increasingly difficult to escape.

Speak to your child about bullying. Make sure you and your child know who to speak to about bullying and encourage your child to stand up to bullies and not engage in bullying behaviour herself. Children often bully others in front of people; tell your child to walk away if this happens, both if she is the victim or a bystander, and get help. Let him know that he gives the bully more power if he stays and watches instead.

If your child is being bullied at school, tell him it isn't his fault. Encourage him to walk away from the bully and tell a teacher or adult what is happening. You can also tell your child that it's alright to tell the bully to stop, although some children may not feel comfortable speaking up to the bully. It is up to parents, children and the school to make sure it doesn't continue.

If your child is bullying others at school, speak to your child about how others feel when she is bullying them. Ask your child why she is bullying others; often children who are bullying feel badly about something. Speak to your school about getting help for your child. Praise your child when she acts appropriately around other children and friends.

Picking on someone else to cause physical or emotional harm, humiliation and fear is a learned behaviour. Find out how to stop it.

• Anti Bullying Videos
• Backing off the bullies
• Bullying
• Cyber Safety Tips
• Cyber Bullying
• Bullying & Physical Violence in Schools
• Keeping Kids Safe from Bullying, Cyberbullying, Relationship Violence and Child Abuse
• What Can I Do If I Am Being Bullied or Picked On?
• Centre for Youth Crime Prevention
• STOP A BULLY