 |
 |
|
2011 - Issue 8 - Bullying |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Dear KHP,
Statistics show that about 60-70 per cent of kids witness bullying at some point.
Remember it only takes one person to take a stand before others follow their lead. When a kid stays silent and watches, they're part of the problem, whether they mean to be or not. If they get help, they're part of the solution. The adults they trust can be part of that solution, too.
Young people don't always know what to do when they see someone being bullied. That's why it's important to help them understand that, as bystanders, they have an opportunity to make a powerful difference in someone's life. In most cases, bullying stops when a bystander steps in.
How you can help
Listen. If a young person reports a bullying incident to you, either as a target or a bystander, act immediately. Your child needs to know that you can and will help. If the bully is a student consider reporting it to the school principal. If you feel that your child is physically at risk, call the police at once.
Stay aware. Keep the family computer in a central location where you can easily monitor it.
Be supportive. Don't under estimate what your child is going through. Listen to your child and try to understand the impact the bullying is having on them, and assure them that you are on their side.
Encourage them to do the right thing. If your kid is a bystander, explain that it's important that they don't stay a silent witness. You might want to ask things like, "would you want someone to have your back if you were the one getting bullied?"
Don't tell them to fight back. Be assertive, not aggressive. Fighting or responding to online abuse or rumours with more of the same doesn't help anyone.
Don't give up. Kids Help Phone professional counsellors are always here to help at 1-800-668-6868 or by visiting KidsHelpPhone.ca. Parents, caregivers, teachers, and youth professionals will also find useful information, tips and resources on our website.
Bullying survey results
In September, Kids Help Phone published a bullying survey on our website. We wanted to gather responses from young people about bystanding to learn how kids respond to bullying when they see it happen in their schools and communities. The results are in and we think they say a lot about why bullying happens and what we can do to stop it. Read more here.
| In Focus Home | Kids Help Phone | Contact Us |
About Kids Help Phone
Our mission is to improve the well-being of children and youth in Canada by providing them anonymous and confidential professional counselling, referrals, and information through technologically-based communications media.
About Kids Help Phone
Facts and Stats
Media Centre
Volunteers
Supporters
Events
News Bites
Thanks for the fang-tastic fundraising! Thanks to you, this year's BMO Boolathon for Kids Help Phone was a spooktacular success. More than 3,000 people raised a record $1 Million to support kids in communities throughout Canada.
Tune into the Family Channel
From November 14-20 Family Channel will focus on Bullying through a week of special programming, online chats with Family stars and Kids Help Phone professional counsellors. Visit www.family.ca for details and tune in starting Monday, November 14.
New video
Shadow is an award-winning short film about suicide, made by filmmaker Francis Laliberte. Kids Help Phone is proud to be tagged as the referral agency here.
Air Miles Holiday promotion
From November 8 to December 24, AIR MILES Collectors can help Kids Help Phone continue to be there for kids. All you have to do is "like" the Air Miles Facebook page and choose Kids Help Phone as your charity of choice. Air Miles will then donate one reward mile to us. The more fans Air Miles gets, the more they'll donate!
Like Air Miles today and tell your friends on Facebook