Bullying Prevention and Intervention

Developed by Chuck Saufler, Maine Bullying Prevention Education Program

How Bullying Affects School Climate

• Witnesses believe it’s OK--feel guilty, afraid, powerless
• Creates a less empathetic social climate.
• Increases fear, anxiety and disrespect among students.
• Students perceive a lack of caring and control on the part of the adults.

Attitude Makes a Difference

• The attitude of teachers toward bully/target problems plays an important role in the extent of the bullying at school.
• Students know which teachers have an indifferent attitude towards bullying.
• If nothing changes…nothing changes.

Student supervision needs to be...

• Purposeful
• Alert
• Proactive and Responsive
• Mobile
• Done from the perimeter
• Communicated

What kind of intervention works?

• Timely
• Inevitable and Consistent
• Firm
• Respectful
• Brief

The 10 Second Intervention

• Use as often as possible.
• Ideal for transitional moments when there is no specific target or perceived hostile intent.
• Make it a respectful “I” message, not a lecture.
• Make a mental note of who was involved
• Watch for repeat offenders.

Strategies for students who witness bullying:

• Get help from adults. (See handout: Helping or tattling?”)
• Get help from other kids.
• Speak out against the bullying.
• Reach out in friendship (alliance).
• Support the victim.  

The Teachable Moment (see handout: The Teachable Moment)

Process for Intervening (see handout: Process for Intervention)