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Bullying Prevention and Resources for Families

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Introduction

Bullying is a community issue and must be addressed by students, parents, schools, and the entire community. Bullying exists in schools, but schools are also in a unique position to educate students and staff about its presence, danger, and negative consequences. Schools can teach behaviors that help protect students from the harmful effects of bullying. Schools have an obligation to adopt policies and procedures to educate school staff about the harmful effects of bullying and the need to create a “bully-free” environment. Policies that focus on creating and maintaining a positive school climate are essential to maintaining a safe and supportive school environment for all students. By providing prevention and intervention services schools can play an important part in reducing bullying within the overall community.

Understanding Bullying

Defined in the Code of Virginia § 22.1-276.01, “Bullying” means any aggressive and unwanted behavior that is intended to harm, intimidate, or humiliate the victim; involves a real or perceived power imbalance between the aggressor or aggressors and victim; and is repeated over time or causes severe emotional trauma. "Bullying" includes cyber bullying. "Bullying" does not include ordinary teasing, horseplay, argument, or peer conflict.

Cyberbullying is defined as “willful and repeated harm inflicted through the use of computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices” from Bullying Beyond the Schoolyard: Preventing and Responding to Cyberbullying.

Bullying Prevention

Parents, school staff, and other caring adults have a role to play in bullying prevention and intervention. It is important that adults understand the difference between bullying and conflict and that there are different types of bullying. Students, families and staff should be encouraged to report bullying incidents and all incidents should be addressed. When vigilant about reporting and addressing incidents of aggression, schools are more likely to see a reduction in incidents of bullying.

Resources for Families

Families are greatly affected by bullying within the school and community. When a student is involved in a bullying incident, family’s often look for available resources. Below are a number of resources provided for families who have been impacted by bullying: