How to Help Victims of School Bullying

A bullied child can feel shameful and embarrassed, even though he is not at fault, according to Kids Health.

More than 19 percent of 9th through 12th graders throughout the United States reported being bullied in 2009, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It may be troubling to hear or witness a child being bullied at school, but there are various ways to help the bullying victim. Being a good listener and taking action to prevent future occurrences are just two approaches an adult can take.

Instructions

1. Remain calm and be a good listener when a child informs you that he has been bullied at school, suggests the PACER Center, a parenting information resource for families of children with disabilities. To retain an honest and open communication with the child, praise him for telling you of these occurrences, and remind him more than once that the bullying isn't his fault. Allow the child to give a full explanation of the bullying incidences, and follow up with any unanswered questions, such as "Was it physical or verbal bullying?" and "Who was doing the bullying?" Also ask when and where the bullying took place and if there were adults present. Determine by this discussion how the child handled the situation, and if any teachers or school administrators were notified immediately after the situations happening.

2. Schedule a meeting with the child's teacher or principal. At the meeting, discuss the details of the bullying occurrences and allow the administrator to offer any feedback or observances regarding the victim and bully, suggests the PACER Center. According to the discussion between you and the child, give a written documentation to the teacher or principal to ensure that you've fully explained the situation. With the administrator, devise a plan or set of consequences as to what can be done about bullying at school. An anti-bullying campaign can be incorporated into the school or classroom, and this can consist of bringing in guest speakers to discuss the dangers of bullying among both youth and adults. Request from the teacher a copy of the school's policy on harassment and bullying.

3. Participate in a few role-playing activities with the child. It can be tempting for a bullying victim to start a physical altercation with a bully, according to Kids Health, an online health resource for parents. Instead, create a few fictional, yet realistic, scenarios that teach the child how to handle a situation. Take turns acting as the bully and the victim. Encourage the child to walk away from the situation, hang out with friends and notify an adult.

References

• The PACER Center: Steps to Take if Your Child is Being Bullied at School
• Kids Health: Helping Kids Deal with Bullies
• Centers for Disease Control: Youth Violence Facts at a Glance