Bullying can stop within 10 seconds when someone steps in
It is important for youth to understand how to properly intervene in a bullying situation. Below are some tips on how to safely take action:
- Speak up. Tell the bully that their behaviour is unacceptable and that you won't get involved. You have an opinion too, and it matters more than you think.
- Encourage bystanders to get involved as a group . Band together and walk away. Bullies like an audience. If you're standing around watching then you're contributing to the problem and not the solution.
- Help the person being bullied. Put yourself in their shoes. Wouldn't you want someone to help you if you were being picked on?
- Don't fight the bully. It's not safe, and it'll just fuel the fire.
- Ask someone for help. If the situation escalates, don't be afraid to ask someone you trust for help. Keep asking until you get the help you need.
Additional information about bullying prevention and intervention can be found on www.B-Free.ca. Stand Up and Stop Bullying campaign materials can be viewed online at http://www.bullyfreealberta.ca/
Alberta Prevention of Bullying Youth Committee members range in age from 15 to 22 years. Committee members are from all over the province and bring with them a variety of experiences.
The Stand Up and Stop Bullying campaign follows the launch of the S-Team Heroes campaign in June 2005. The S-Team Heroes are a group of cartoon super heroes created to help children ages three to 11 learn how to best handle bullying. The exciting adventures of the S-Team Heroes can be found online at www.teamheroes.ca.
Facts:
- Research shows that bullying stops in less than 10 seconds, 57 per cent of the time when peers intervene on behalf of the victi
- 81 per cent of secondary students express empathy for victims. Only 10 to 21 per cent see bullying as a good way to solve problems. (The Anti-Bullying Handbook, Ken Sullivan, 2000)
- About one-third of Alberta households surveyed said that bullying has affected their family (Ipsos Reid, 2006)
- At least 85 per cent of bullying happens in a peer group. (Craig & Peplar, 1997)
