State Is Making Efforts To Deal With School Bullying Epidemic

By Kathleen M. Bambrick, LICSW

What do Harrison Ford, Mel Gibson, Christina Aguilera, Tom Cruise, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Denzel Washington have in common?

They were all bullied.

Did you know that today 90 percent of fourth through eighth-grade students report being victims of bullying? Or, that kids of this age call teasing and bullying “big problems” that rank higher than the pressure to try alcohol or drugs?

Bullying no longer is a rite of passage and, in fact, can turn deadly.

Unfortunately, recent cases from across the country as well as our own state make the news routinely. In at least two cases, a 15-year-old girl in South Hadley and an 11-year-old boy in Springfield committed suicide after allegations of harassment and bullying.

In response, the Massachusetts Senate recently approved a bill designed to curtail school bullying. This legislation would require school districts to develop policies and procedures to address bullying at school and on the Internet. Included would be requirements for schools to notify parents of both targets and bullies; discipline students; for principals to refer appropriate cases to law enforcement; and for schools to implement education and prevention programs.

While nearly one in four Massachusetts students report being bullied while at school, in most cases it does not turn deadly. But it can cause other serious ramifications.

It can impede a child’s learning and self-esteem and cause increased symptoms of anxiety such as fears, sleeplessness, headaches and stomach pains. Common complaints take the form of: verbal humiliation, social exclusion, and peer pressure.

Kids may become bullies for a variety of reasons and it’s important to learn if they have been targets of this behavior themselves. Bullies may need skills in recognizing how their behavior impacts others, improvement to their own self-esteem, coping skills to address their own frustrations instead of misdirecting them at others and even assistance in understanding more appropriate ways to look “big” or “cool” in front of others.

Here are some suggestions for outsiders dealing with a bullying situation:

• Towards the bully: send a direct message that bullying will not be tolerated, warn you will be watching for future incidents, be specific about consequences, inform others about their behavior, help them understand what it is like for their target, and be sure to recognize them when the behavior stops;
• Towards bystanders: empower kids with rewards and praise if they report bullying; empower older kids to step in with the younger ones; and provide “advice for someone being teased or bullied” so they can step in and help.

Advice for someone being bullied or teased:

• Tell a friend what is happening. There is safety in numbers;
• In a bullying situation, turn and walk away. Don’t stand and listen!
• Look directly at a bystander for help;
• Try not to show upset or anger as this may be a reaction desired by the bully. A bully who’s bored may leave you alone;
• Possibly think up a clever reply in advance. Or ask bullies to repeat what they said, as they may not be brave enough to do so;
• Report the incident to a parent, school, and other adults. 

Information on bullying legislation, prevention programs and education can be found on the Commonwealth Website, www.mass.gov, by typing “bullying prevention” in the search box.

(Ms. Bambrick is a licensed social worker and training coordinator with Bayview Associates, 617-746-9733.)