On Campus Conflicts & BullyingMediation & Conflict Resolution

Bullying - Defined Bullying: unlike isolated conflicts between individuals, occurs

when a student or group of students targets an individual repeatedly over time, using physical or psychological aggression to dominate the victim

Bullying is:

Repeated

Intentional

Used to create an imbalance of power

Why is it important to study bullying?

The effects of bullying can be both short-term and long-term.

Short-term effects for targets; lower self-esteem, depression, illness, absenteeism

Long-term effects for targets; severe depression, suicidal ideation, self-destructive behavior, suicide

Bullying impacts the target, the bully and the bystanders.

Bullies escalate aggression in adolescence and adulthood.

Bullying: Myth or Fact?

Bullying is a “normal” part of the school experience:FALSE

Bullies have low self-esteem:FALSE

Victims of bullying need to stand up for themselves:FALSE

Bullying mostly involves physical violence:FALSE

Identifying a BullyLook for the following characteristics:

- regularly engages in hurtful teasing, name calling, intimidation

- sense of superiority- does not express empathy- desire to overpower or control others

Frequent Targets of Bullying

Passive Personalities:- quiet- sensitive- insecure- physically weaker than peers- associates with adults

“Provocative” Personalities:- persons with ADD, ADHD- easily angered- clumsy- immature or developmentally delayed

Types of Bullying - Direct Physical:

hittingkickingshovingspittingproperty destructionphysical restraintunwanted sexual contact

Verbal:tauntingteasingname callingdegrading comments

Nonverbal:threatening gesturesobscene gesturesspatial invasionstaring

Types of Bullying – Non Direct

PhysicalGetting another person to assault someone

VerbalSpreading rumors about a person but hiding that you are the source

NonverbalDeliberate exclusion from a group or an activity

Cyberbullying - Defined Cyberbullying: the use of technology to intensify bullying

Technology: personal websites, blogs, e-mail, chat groups, message boards, IM, text messaging

Cyberbullies:

Target may know them, or may be a stranger / anonymous

May enlist the aid of others, including online “friends”

Subject Matter:

Continuation of, or retaliation to in-school bullying

Related to fights about relationships

Based on hate or bias

Some see cyber-bullying as a game

Cyberbullying - Types Types of Cyberbullying:

Flaming. Angry, rude arguments

Harassment. Repeatedly sending offensive messages via text, IM, etc

Denigration. Insulting someone online by spreading rumors, sharing embarrassing images, or posting false information

Outing and trickery. Disseminating intimate private information or tricking someone into disclosing private information, which is then disseminated

Impersonation. Pretending to be someone else and posting material to damage that person's reputation

Exclusion. Intentionally excluding someone from an online group

Cyberstalking. Creating fear by sending offensive messages and engaging in threatening activity

The Harms of Cyberbullying Harm: Cyberbullying can cause great emotional harm

Communications can occur 24/7

Damaging material can be disseminated quickly and widely; is impossible to fully remove

Teens are reluctant to tell adults for fear they will be restricted from online activities or the cyberbully will retaliate

Cyberbully can hide online, and be anonymous

Cyberbullying can lead to youth suicide and violence

Warning Signs:

Sadness or anger during or after internet use

Withdrawal from friends and activities, school avoidance

Decline of grades

Depression

Discussion: Tyler Clementi Tyler Clementi, 18YO freshman at Rutgers University in NJ

Dorm roommate Dharun Ravi and hallmate Molly Wei used webcams in their rooms (without his knowledge) to watch Clementi kissing another man

9/20/2010: Ravi posted on Twitter “Roommate asked for the room till midnight. I went into molly's room and turned on my webcam. I saw him making out with a dude. Yay.”

9/21/2010: Ravi sent text messages about planning a second webcam viewing party. Pointed his webcam to Clementi’s bed.

9/22/2010: Clementi jumped to his death from the George Washington Bridge. Body found 9/29/2010.

Ravi and Wei indicted for roles in webcam incidents, but not charged in suicide

Ravi sentenced to 30 days in jail, 3 years probation, 300 hours of community service, a $10,000 fine, and counseling on cyberbullying and alternate lifestyles

Ravi released from jail after 20 days of his sentence

Actions, Steps and Options Do NOT retaliate. Instead:

Calmly and strongly tell them to stop

Ask that the harmful material be removed

File a complaint with ISP, phone company, social media company

Save the evidence

Identify the cyberbully or group of bullies; you can ask your ISP for help

Ask the school for help

Contact an attorney to send a letter or file a lawsuit against the cyberbully (or their parents)

Contact the police if the cyberbullying involves threats of violence, coercion, intimidation based on hate or bias, or any form of sexual exploitation

For Next Class: Guest Presentation, GSU Office of the Ombudsperson

Web address: http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwomb

“Our goal is to foster a cohesive sense of community by being an advocate for fair and equitable treatment for faculty, staff and students. We help to:

Support individuals’ capacities and responsibilities for making decisions about their lives

Foster an environment of mutual respect and cooperation

Lend support for developing the use of understanding rather than power as a basis for resolving conflicts and disputes”