What violence is
Violence “Any use of force – verbal, written, physical, psychological, or sexual – against any person, by an individual or a group, with intent to directly or indirectly wrong, injure or oppress that person by attacking his or her integrity, whether psychological or physical well-being, rights or property.” Art.13, LIP 2012
What bullying is
Bullying “Any repeated direct or indirect behaviour, comment, act or gesture, whether deliberate or not, including in cyberspace, which occurs in a context where there is a power imbalance between the persons concerned and which causes distress and injures, hurts, oppresses, intimidates or ostracizes.” Art. 13, LIP 2012
This definition includes three important components: 1. Bullying is aggressive behaviour that involves unwanted, negative actions. 2. Bullying involves a pattern of behaviour repeated over time. 3. Bullying involves an imbalance of power or strength.
Types of bullying
Bullying can take on many forms:
- Verbal bullying including derogatory comments and name calling;
- Bullying through social exclusion or isolation;
- Physical bullying such as hitting, kicking, shoving, and spitting;
- Bullying through lies and false rumours;
- Having money or other things personal property/belongings/possessions taken or damaged by students who bully;
- Being threatened or being forced to do things by students who bully;
- Racial bullying;
- Sexual bullying, harassment, unwanted advances, inappropriate touching, and;
- Cyber-bullying (bullying behavior via cell-phone, Internet, etc…).
School Community Responsibilities
At Eardley Elementary School there is a culture where effective programs and policies communicate to all students and staff the message that bullying-type behavior or violent behaviours will not be accepted or tolerated.
Responsibilities of staff
- To act as appropriate role models for all staff and students;
- To take every precaution to ensure that students are supervised at all times;
- To reinforce the message that bullying is not accepted or tolerated;
- To be observant of signs of distress or suspected incidents of bullying;
- To treat all reports or observed incidences of bullying seriously by reporting them immediately to the appropriate administrator
- To provide and foster an environment where students feel they can speak to staff about their concerns.
Responsibilities of students
- To behave appropriately, respecting individual differences and diversity – to take a stand against bullying;
- To participate in anti-bullying peer groups (to voice & release their comments/concerns);
- To attend anti-bullying information/training and support workshop/assemblies;
- To report and inform (parents/guardians, schoolstaff, friends) if they are being bullied or if they see someone else being bullied –whether it occurs at school or away from school;
- To help someone who is being bullied by taking a stand – reporting and supporting;
- To stand up and help someone being bullied. Students can expect that their concerns will be responded to by the school staff and that they will be provided with appropriate support (for both the victims of and those responsible for the behaviour).
Responsibilities of parents
- To watch for signs that their child may be the victim of bullying;
- To watch for signs that their child is exhibiting bullying behaviour;
- To speak to a Support Staff, Supervisor, Teacher, or the Administrator if their child is being bullied, or if they suspect that this is happening;
- To seek advice from a Staff member or Principal if they suspect that their child is bullying others;
- To encourage open conversations with adults if they are bullied or suspect others are bullying;
- To encourage their children to tell a responsible adult if they are bullied.