What Parents Can Do

What parents can do when a child complains of being bullied.    

 Maine Bullying Prevention Education Program, 2003

1. Tend to any injuries first.  If the injury merits it or there is damage to clothing or property, take color pictures.

2. Without overreacting, convey to the child that you are angry about the bullying, sympathetic about the problem and will take appropriate action. Never blame the victim or suggest you can not help.

3. Do not promise to keep the bullying a secret.  Explain that this protects the bully, who is counting on the child to remain silent.

4. Find out exactly what, when and where it happened, and if there were witnesses.  Ask what response your child made and whether it was one of a series of events.

5. Make an appointment to see an administrator at school.  Give them a written report of the bullying incident.  Write down any plan that is developed.

6. Contact the parents of the bullying child.  Point out that what has happened is assault, you are reporting the bullying to the school, and it could become a police matter.

7. If neither the parents nor school personnel show appropriate concern followed up by action, go higher in the school administration.  If that doesn't work send copies of all reports and events to date to the police for their files and advise them that you are seeing a lawyer.

8. Under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1992, schools have a legal responsibility to ensure a "non-hostile environment" is available to all students.  Title IX complaints go to the Office of Civil Rights.