Raising Up An Alliance of Discerning Luminaries's

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 Bullying is repeated, aggressive behavior that stems from a perceived power imbalance, causing harm to the victim. It can manifest physically, verbally, socially, or through cyberbullying. Key aspects to understand include the harmful effects on everyone involved—the victim, the person bullying, and bystanders. Prevention requires community-wide efforts, open communication, teaching anti-bullying skills, and promoting kindness and respect.  

• Aggressive Behavior: Unwanted, aggressive acts by one or more people toward another person. 
• Power Imbalance: A difference in physical strength, social status, or other factors that gives the bully power over the victim. 
• Repetition: The behavior is repeated or is likely to be repeated. 

• Physical Bullying: Hitting, kicking, tripping, or damaging property.
• Verbal Bullying: Teasing, name-calling, threats, and spreading rumors.
• Social (Relational) Bullying: Intentionally excluding someone, damaging their reputation, or manipulating friendships.
• Cyberbullying: Using electronic technology, such as the internet, to torment or harass someone.

• The Victim: Can be any child or teen, regardless of gender, popularity, or academic performance. 
• The Bully: May have high self-esteem but can also be a victim of bullying themselves; bullying is a behavior, not an identity. 
• Bystanders: Witnesses to bullying who can either stop an incident or become part of the problem by doing nothing. 

• Control and Power: Bullies often seek a feeling of power and control over others. 
• Targeting Vulnerable Individuals: Bullies may target individuals who are perceived as different or vulnerable. 

• For Victims: Physical injury, psychological distress, social isolation, decreased self-esteem, and poor academic performance. 
• For Bullies: Increased risk of substance use, academic problems, and potential for violence later in life. 
• For Bystanders: Increased mental health problems, higher rates of substance use, and increased chances of missing school. 

• Community Effort: Involve students, parents, school staff, and the wider community in prevention efforts. 
• Open Communication: Keep lines of communication open with children to discuss concerns and ensure they know where to get help. 
• Teach Kindness: Model and teach kindness, respect, and empathy toward others. 
• Encourage Intervention: Teach skills for bystander intervention and ensure bystanders feel safe to act. 
• Recognize Warning Signs: Look for changes in behavior, unexplained injuries, or social withdrawal in a child who may be a victim. 
• Consequences: Send a clear message that bullying is unacceptable and establish consequences for the behavior.