Bullying: Spot It, Stop It

What is Bullying? According to www.stopbullying.gov, bullying involves an imbalance of power, real or perceived, that results in aggressive or unwanted behavior that is repeated, or may potentially be repeated, over time.

Data continues to show that bullying is a serious national issue. The 2019 School Crime Supplement to the National Crime Victimization Survey for the National Center for Education Statistics and Bureau of Justice states that 22%, or 1 in 5 students, ages 12-18 experience bullying. These numbers may not capture the reality of the situation because bullying often goes unreported.

It is important to note that many types of bullying can also overlap with discriminatory harassment, which is covered under federal civil rights laws. Bullying becomes discriminatory harassment when someone is bullied based on their membership in a protected class.  Protected classes are defined as age, color, disability, gender expression, gender identity, homelessness, marital status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation.

When bullying happens, it impacts everyone. Those that are bullied, those who bully, and those who witness bullying may experience mental health, substance use, and/or academic challenges. Those that work with youth need to be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to address this nationwide problem.

The Professional Development Program (PDP) training, “Bullying: Spot It, Stop It”, explores the different ways in which youth are bullied:  

• Cyberbullying
• Emotional or Social Bullying
• Physical Bullying
• Verbal Bullying
• Sexual Bullying
• LGBTQ Bullying
• Racial or Race-Based Bullying

This training assists participants in recognizing bullying behaviors and equips them with implementation strategies to create safe and respectful environments.  Additionally, participants learn about the impacts bullying has on youth who are bullied, youth who perpetrate bullying behavior, and the social environment. This training helps participants identify strategies to engage youth in creating safe spaces.        

For more information and support, reach out to the Youth Engagement Specialist (YES) in your region and check out the PDP training “Bullying: Spot It, Stop It”.