Moose Jaw’s Partners against Violence Committee brings together a number of local service agencies, as well as local RCMP and Moose Jaw Police to work towards building a safer community for all.
Bullying – What parents need to know
Research shows that bullying is a major issue for Canadian youth. The Canadian Red Cross is the leading provider of bullying prevention education in Saskatchewan and provides the following tips to guide you
If your child is being bullied:
- Listen to your child entirely before reacting
- Involve your child in finding solutions
- With your child’s help, create a team of support for you and your child (teachers, school counsellors, and trusted family members, etc.)
- Help your child learn how to cope with stress and anxiety
- Build your child’s capacity to respond effectively to the bullying by:
- Abstaining from violence
- Not counter-bullying
Help your child to build their self esteem by:
- Engaging them in activities they enjoy
- Praising their good efforts and accomplishments
- Remind your child that you love them
- Know when the problem is getting too big for them, and seek appropriate intervention
- To get help: Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 or kidshelpphone.ca
If your child is engaging in bullying behaviour:
- Stay calm and be firm—let your child know that bullying is not acceptable
- Find out what motivates your child to bully, and encourage an open and honest discussion
- Use non-violent and age-appropriate consequences; set rules
- Discuss how your child can take steps to repair the damage caused by the bullying behaviour
- With your child’s help, create a team of support for the both of you (teachers, school counselors, trusted family members, etc.)
- Be a positive role model in your child’s life by being aware of how you use your own power
If your child is witnessing bullying:
- Explore the different options for your child to stand up against bullying
- Educate your child to intervene immediately to stop the bullying, but to get an adult to help with the intervention if it’s unsafe to act without an adult present
- Approach the person being bullied to provide support
- Explain the difference between “tattling” on someone as opposed to reporting in order to stop someone from getting hurt
- Encourage your child to come up with creative ways to intervene in a bullying situation, such as changing the subject or starting a game
- Set a good example for your child by showing that you care about others
Visit www.redcross.ca for more information about helping your child through difficult situations.
