How Do You Support Someone Who Is Being Bullied?
Bullying is hurtful behaviour that causes harm to its victims and is usually done by someone exerting power. Bullying can occur in many forms, such as physical, verbal, and even online. Here are some of the ways you can support victims of bullying:
- Recognize the signs of bullying. Examples include teasing, threats, humiliation, harassment, or assault. Cyber-bullying is bullying using any online platform.
- Respond to the bullying by standing up for the person being bullied, going to get help, or supporting the person.
- Let the victims know you are there for them.
- Show empathy, kindness, and respect to the person being bullied by listening to them.
- Get involved in bullying awareness initiatives.
- Share various resources about bullying through posts and social media.
- Develop bullying prevention policies in your community, school, and in the workplace.
Bullying is often worse and lasts longer when there are bystanders around. If you are a bystander, you have the power to help in 3 ways:
- Stay and help
- Tell the person who is bullying to stop.
- Call 911 if the situation is violent and the person being bullied is in immediate danger.
- Leave and get help
- Find someone who has the skills and authority to help such as a teacher, supervisor, police officer, or coach.
- Share what you saw and heard with the person who can help.
- After the incident, support the person targeted
- Let them know that they do not deserve to be treated that way and it is not their fault.
- Whenever possible, include them in your future activities.
Due to the pandemic, people are spending more time online as they are working and schooling from home. Technology can be very helpful when used properly, but it can also be used to target people for cyber-bullying. Cyber-bullying is a form of mental bullying and harassment that happens via the internet, and it can lead to low self-esteem and even suicide. Children and teens are susceptible to cyber-bullying. As a youth, if you see or suspect that your friends are being bullied, either cyber or in person, here are some ways you can support that person:
- Inform an adult about your suspicions and any incidents.
- If you see someone being bullied, speak and stand up for them.
- If bullying escalates to violence, get an adult or the police involved immediately.
For more information on cyber-bullying, please see the information posted on Public Safety Canada
It is important to remember that if someone is being bullied, you need to listen carefully, without judgement and reservation. Reassure the person being bullied that it is not their fault, and support them in any way that they need.
As a parent, support your child by listening to them and being involved in their activities. As an educator, emphasize that bullying will not be tolerated in class or in school, and keep an eye out for signs of bullying. Create policies and plans to prevent bullying. Support your students if you suspect someone being bullied, and take the necessary steps to put an end to it. As an employer, create policies that clearly identify bullying behaviours, and establish a zero-tolerance policy for such actions.
Visit this Government of Alberta website for tips on what you can do to support victims of bullying.
For more information on bullying, please visit the PREVNet (Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Network) website
