Bullying - a definition

There is no legal definition of bullying.

However, its usually defined as behaviour that is:

Repeated, intended to hurt someone either physically or

emotionally,
often aimed at certain groups, eg because of race, religion, gender
or sexual orientation
It takes many forms and can include:

physical assault, teasing, making threats, name calling,

cyberbullying - bullying via mobile phone or online (eg email, social
networks and instant messenger)
Your school should have its own definition of bullying.
Source: https://www.gov.uk/bullying-at-school/bullying-a-definition

Bullying occurs for a large part within the school's perimeters- in the lunchroom, in the
locker room, during recess or right outside the building. Schools have professionals
available, and they have a real capacity to be the positive force to diminish these
occurrences. Here are some important steps schools can take to remedy this problem:
1. As part of the curriculum, students should learn to identify bullying language and
actions in themselves and others. They should also be taught positive communication
skills. This knowledge will help create a more positive environment where bullying is
less likely to occur.
2. There should be an established system for a child to report being bullied
(anonymously, if needed) and get immediate help. A counselor and other professionals
should meet with the children involved and their families to determine a solution.
3. There should be classroom discussions about the motivation and effects of bullying to
sensitize students and promote self-awareness. Children should understand that bullies
are children who have experienced some form of bullying themselves. They behave
aggressively in an attempt to retaliate. They are children who feel powerless and suffer

from low self-esteem. They attempt to heighten their self-esteem by surrounding

themselves with other children whom they can control, who often feel insecure
themselves. Bullies then find someone to diminish in an attempt to inflate themselves. It
should be emphasized that children who are bullied suffer terribly. This education can
help the children to make better, more positive choices and to become the school's
partners in eliminating bullying.
4. Professionals should teach the children skills for handling bullies through role-playing
and other technics. For example, the students can write plays and act out different
bullying scenarios in the classroom. Each child should act out being the bully, the
bullys supporter and the victim, to gain a more tangible understanding.
4. Counseling should be available to kids who are bullied, for the bullies and for those
who help the bullies. When needed, these children should be referred to outside
therapists for on-going help.
5. There should be school-wide events that focus the student body on bullying, for
instance, Bullying Awareness Tuesdays. There could be activities in each class such
as designing slogans to put on the walls such as: It's wrong to bully others or It's
wrong to go along with a bully. A child who reports bullying should be rewarded.
6. Schools should have strong repercussions for bullying. Bullying is now an illegal
offense and there should be 0 tolerance for this behavior. At the same time the official a
real effort to get to the bottom of the cause, by discussions with the child's family and
the child are essential. Families need to examine their family relationships and make
sure there is no bullying going on at home.
7. If your child's school has no support system in place your parents' association should
lobby for the school to develop one.
Bullying has been a part of society since its inception, and will not easily disappear. But
with the joint effort of the schools, the parents and the children, going to school can
become a healthier, safer experience.

Source: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/how-raise-happy-cooperativechild/201212/7-ways-schools-can-prevent-bullying
To answer the question about how to prevent bullying at school especially to create
safe environment, its necessary for the school to have the following considerations.
Build a Safe Environment
A safe and supportive school climate can help prevent bullying. Safety starts in the
classroom. Students should also feel and be safe everywhere on campusin the
cafeteria, in the library, in the rest rooms, on the bus, and on the playground.
Everyone at school can work together to create a climate where bullying is not
acceptable.

Create a Safe and Supportive Environment

Manage Classrooms to Prevent Bullying

Classroom Meetings

Create a Safe and Supportive Environment

In general, schools can:

Establish a culture of inclusion and respect that welcomes all students.

Reward students when they show thoughtfulness and respect for peers,
adults, and the school. The Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
Technical Assistance Center can help.

Make sure students interact safely. Monitor bullying hot spots in and around
the building. Students may be at higher risk of bullying in settings where
there is little or no adult monitoring or supervision, such as bathrooms,
playgrounds, and the cafeteria.

Enlist the help of all school staff. All staff can keep an eye out for bullying.
They also help set the tone at school. Teachers, bus drivers, cafeteria staff,
office staff, librarians, school nurses, and others see and influence students
every day. Messages reach kids best when they come from many different
adults who talk about and show respect and inclusion. Train school staff to
prevent bullying.

Set a tone of respect in the classroom. This means managing student

behavior in the classroom well. Well-managed classrooms are the least likely
to have bullying.

Manage Classrooms to Prevent Bullying

Teachers can consider these ways to promote the respect, positive relations, and
order that helps prevent bullying in the classroom:

Create ground rules.

Develop rules with students so they set their own climate of respect
and responsibility.

Use positive terms, like what to do, rather than what not to do.

Support school-wide rules.

Reinforce the rules.

o

Be a role model and follow the rules yourself. Show students respect
and encourage them to be successful.

Make expectations clear. Keep your requests simple, direct, and

specific.

Reward good behavior. Try to affirm good behavior four to five times for
every one criticism of bad behavior.

Use one-on-one feedback, and do not publicly reprimand.

Help students correct their behaviors. Help them understand violating

the rules results in consequences: I know you can stop [negative
action] and go back to [positive action]. If you choose to continue, then
[consequence].

Classroom Meetings
Classroom meetings provide a forum for students to talk about school-related issues
beyond academics. These meetings can help teachers stay informed about what is
going on at school and help students feel safe and supported.
These meetings work best in classrooms where a culture of respect is already
established. Classroom meetings are typically short and held on a regular schedule.
They can be held in a students main classroom, home room, or advisory period.

Establish ground rules. Kids should feel free to discuss issues without fear.
Classroom meetings are not a time to discuss individual conflicts or gossip
about others. Reinforce existing classroom rules.

Start the conversation. Focus on specific topics, such as bullying or respectful

behaviors. Meetings can identify and address problems affecting the group as
a whole. Stories should be broad and lead to solutions that build trust and
respect between students. Use open-ended questions or prompts such as:
o

Share an example of a student who helped someone at school this

week.

Without names, share an example of someone who made another

student feel bad.

What did students nearby do? What did you do? Did you want to do
something differentwhy or why not?

If you could describe the perfect response to the situation what would
it be? How hard or easy would it be to do? Why?

How can adults help?

End the meeting with a reminder that it is everyones job to make school a
positive place to learn. Encourage kids to talk to teachers or other trusted
adults if they see bullying or are worried about how someone is being
treated.

Follow-up when necessary. Monitor student body language and reactions. If a

topic seems to be affecting a student, follow-up with him or her. Know what
resources are available to support students affected by bullying.

(Source: http://www.stopbullying.gov/prevention/at-school/build-safeenvironment/index.html)

Below are a few reasons why bullies behave the way they do:
People can direct frustrations, hurt, anger and difficulty at home or in class to you
by bullying.
Lack of attention from friends, parents or teachers can make a person bully you,
just to feel popular and seen as tough or cool and in charge.
Some kids have learned to bully from others (parents, brothers or sisters,
friends).They have seen them getting their way by being angry or pushing other
people around. They believe that by putting fear in you, they will have the best shot
at everything in school or in your neighbourhood.
Some people also do that because they are victims themselves.
Bad upbringing at home can make people insensitive to other people's feelings
and emotions. They are happy to see their classmate depressed, sad and hurt.
Watching a lot of violent films (movies and TV), and video games can make a
person try out violent things. They usually try them out on people who appear
smaller or weaker to them.
NOTES
Some young people are bullied for no particular reason, but sometimes it's because
they are different in some way - perhaps it's the colour of their skin, the way they
talk, their size or their name.
Sometimes young people are bullied because they look like they won't stand up for
themselves.

Now lets see what kind of people are usually bullied.

Source: http://eschooltoday.com/bullying/Why-do-people-bully.html