November 16-20, 2020 is National Bullying Prevention and Intervention Week. According to the Promoting Relationships & Eliminating Violence Network (PREVNet), bullying affects the majority of young people; in an average classroom of 35 children, 4-6 children are bullying others or being bullied, with many others witnessing these harmful acts (PREVNet, 2020). The effects of bullying are serious and have both short- and long-term impacts on young people who bully and are bullied, including poorer academic performance, mental health challenges, and a greater likelihood of engaging in risky/dangerous behaviours (PREVNet, 2020).

If bullying is not adequately addressed in childhood, problems can persist into adulthood, with bullying and other forms of maltreatment occurring in different relationships and environments, including the home and the workplace (PREVNet, 2020). Addressing bullying in childhood by empowering youth and adults to step up and step in when bullying occurs can help to prevent the harms experienced by young people who are being bullied. As described in the resources below, we all have a role in standing up to bullying.

Resources for Youth:

• Tips from the Canadian Red Cross for Empowering Youth to Stand Up to Bullying
• Resources from Kids Help Phone. For immediate support available 24/7, call 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868
  • What to do if you’re experiencing bullying
  • What to do if you’re bullying others
  • How to be an active bystander if you witness bullying
• PREVNet’s Bullying Resources for Kids and Teens

 

Resources for Parents:

• The Telus’ Dark Cloud documentary, exploring the impacts of cyberbullying on youth and families across Canada
• Telus Wise’s Guide to Cyberbullying for Parents
• PREVNet’s Bullying Facts and Solutions
• PREVNet’s Bullying Resources for Parents

 

Resources for Teachers and Educators:

• Our overview of cyberbullying for educators from the Respect in School program
• Telus Wise’s resources for teachers to #EndBullying
• PREVNet’s Bullying Resources for Educators

 

Reference: PREVNet. (2019). Bullying: Facts & Solutions. Retrieved from https://www.prevnet.ca/bullying/facts-and-solutions