There are many warning signs that may indicate that someone is affected by bullying – either being bullied or bullying others.
Recognising the warning signs is an important first step in taking action against bullying.
Not all children who are bullied or are bullying others ask for help.
It is important to talk with children who show signs of being bullied or bullying others. These warning signs can also point to other issues or problems, such as depression or substance abuse. Talking to the child can help identify the root of the problem.
READ HERE: Stop cyber bullying In 5 clicks
Signs a Child is Being Bullied
Look for changes in the child. However, be aware that not all children who are bullied exhibit warning signs.
Some signs that may point to a bullying problem are:
- Unexplainable injuries.
- Lost or destroyed clothing, books, electronics, or jewelry.
- Frequent headaches or stomach aches, feeling sick or faking illness.
- Changes in eating habits, like suddenly skipping meals or binge eating. Children may come home from school hungry because they did not eat lunch.
- Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares.
- Declining grades, loss of interest in schoolwork, or not wanting to go to school.
- Sudden loss of friends or avoidance of social situations.
- Feelings of helplessness or decreased self esteem.
- Self-destructive behaviors such as running away from home, harming themselves, or talking about suicide.
Signs a child is bullying others
Kids may be bullying others if they:
- Get into physical or verbal fights.
- Have friends who bully others.
- Are increasingly aggressive.
- Get sent to the principal’s office or to detention frequently.
- Have unexplained extra money or new belongings.
- Blame others for their problems.
- Don’t accept responsibility for their actions.
- Are competitive and worry about their reputation or popularity.
What to do if your child is being bullied:
- Find out pertinent and detailed information about what the bullies are doing, dates, times, places, actions, etc. Document everything.
- Find out any threats that have been made toward your child, and if it pertains to outside of school; contact the police.
- Contact the school during hours of operation and make an appointment with the principal for a face to face meeting.
- Outline the details, not in an angry rant, but as if you were telling a friend what occurred.
- Obtain a copy of the school’s anti-bullying policy to determine if the bully violated a school policy.
- When you meet with the school principal, tell your child’s story and ask for help.
- Relate the facts and leave your emotions out of it. If you feel the bully has violated the school’s anti-bullying policy, bring this up calmly into the conversation.
- Ask what you can do together to stop the bullying. Write down everything he said and agreed to do, because you are going to hold him accountable for it.
- Send a thank-you letter to the principal, recapping what he or she said and agreed to do. This will put the principal on notice and on the alert that you are watching for a resolution to the problem.
- Follow up with your child to see if the bullying stops, and follow up with the principal.
- If the harassment continues, document it and open a case with the police.
- If your child has been threatened contact law enforcement immediately.
- If your child has been cyberbullied, check the school’s anti-bullying policy as well as the country’s anti-bullying legislation. If it is, report that to the school as well. Report it to the police, as well as the ISP provider, the social media web site, or wherever it is taking place.
- If the bullying does not stop you should file charges with the school board and law enforcement if appropriate.
Source: www.stopbullying.gov & www.stompoutbullying.org
