Creating a Safe Environment for LGBT Youth Education

Creating a Safe Environment for LGBT Youth: Education and Tools for Bullying Prevention in the Schools LGBT Advocacy: Finding the Road in Indiana October 28, 2011 Mary Yoder Holsopple Bullying Prevention Coordinator Elkhart Community Schools

Why bother? The National Education Association estimates that 160, 000 students miss school every day because of fear of attack or intimidation by a bully. That totals 28 million school days per year. Source: Northwest Indiana News: nwitimes. com 1/30/06

The “plan” 1. Clearly define bullying—do you know it when you see it? 2. Children at risk 3. Myths, motivation, risk factors 4. Prevention principles and best practices for creating a safe environment 5. Bullying circle 6. Conversation

Olweus Definition of Bullying: “Bullying is when someone repeatedly and on purpose says or does mean or hurtful things to another person who has a hard time defending himself or herself. ”

Three Key Components of Bullying Behavior 1. Involves an aggressive behavior 2. Typically involves a pattern of behavior repeated over time 3. Imbalance of power or strength 5

Types of Bullying • Direct--Hitting, taunting, name calling • Indirect—Rumors, exclusion, cyber bullying 6

Distinguishing Among… • Bullying • Rough-and. Tumble Play • Real Fighting 7

If it looks mean, if it sounds mean, intervene…

BULLYING = PEER ABUSE 9

Children at Higher Risk of Being Bullied: • Children with disabilities, special needs, and health problems • Children who are obese • Children who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or who are questioning their identities (GLBTQ)

Gay bashing • The typical high school student hears anti-gay slurs 25. 5 times a day. • Ten second intervention

Ten Second Intervention “I heard that. It’s not appropriate. Don’t say it again. ” 12

Common Myths About Children who Bully • “Children who bully are loners. ” • “Children who bully have low selfesteem. ” © The Olweus Bullying Prevention Group, 2007

Why is it important to address bullying in schools? 1. For students and their futures 2. For a healthy school climate 3. For the larger community 4. For the purposes of risk management for schools 5. It’s a wise investment © The Olweus Bullying Prevention Group, 2007 14

Ultimately. . . It’s a question of rights. © The Olweus Bullying Prevention Group, 2007 15

Group Mechanisms in Bullying • Social contagion • Weakening inhibitions against aggression • A decreased sense of individual responsibility • Gradual changes in the view of bullied student(s) © The Olweus Bullying Prevention Group, 2007 16

School Risk Factors for Problems of Bullying • Lack of supervision during breaks • Students have indifferent or accepting attitudes • Staff have indifferent or accepting attitudes towards bullying © The Olweus Bullying Prevention Group, 2007 17

Misdirections in Bullying Prevention and Intervention • • Simple, short-term solutions “Program du jour approaches” Group treatment for children who bully Anger management or self-esteem enhancement for children who bully • Zero tolerance policies for bullying • Mediation/conflict resolution to resolve bullying issues • Selecting inappropriate supplemental materials © The Olweus Bullying Prevention Group, 2007 18

Prevention Principles That Work 1. Warmth, positive interest, and involvement are needed on the part of adults in school. 2. Set firm limits to unacceptable behavior. 3. Consistently use nonphysical, nonhostile negative consequences when rules are broken. 4. Adults in the school should act as authorities and positive role models. © The Olweus Bullying Prevention Group, 2007 19

Implications of Key Principles 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Adults are responsible Clear and consistent message Short and long-term focus Follow model with fidelity Bullying prevention becomes part of everyday life at school © The Olweus Bullying Prevention Group, 2007 20

Implications of Key Principles 6. Student involvement in changing climate 7. Student learning about bullying 8. Bully prevention is NOT peer mediation or conflict resolution 9. Bully prevention is not a classroom management technique © The Olweus Bullying Prevention Group, 2007 21

Best Practices Focus on the social environment of the school Assess bullying at your school Obtain staff and parent buy-in and support for bullying prevention

Best Practices continued Form a group to coordinate the school’s bullying prevention activities. Provide training for school staff in bullying prevention Establish and enforce school rules and policies related to bullying

Best Practices continued Increase adult supervision in “hot spots” for bullying Intervene consistently and appropriately when you see bullying Devote class time to bullying prevention Continue these efforts

What Roles Do Students Play In Bullying Situations? A Start the bullying and take an active part Take an active part, but do not start the bullying B Students Who Bully Defenders Student Who Is Bullied Followers G Dislike the bullying, help or try to help the bullied student H The one who is being bullied Support the bullying, but do not take an active part C Like the bullying, but do not display open support Supporters D Possible Defenders Passive Supporters Disengaged Onlookers F Dislike the bullying and think they ought to help, but don’t do it E Watch what happens, don’t take a stand © The Olweus Bullying Prevention Group, 2007 25

Let’s talk about it • Where on the Bully Circle are most of the students in your school? • How can you help the bystander become a helpful defender?

Why Adults Don’t Always Intervene: • Have difficulty recognizing bullying • Fail to recognize the importance of intervening • Uncertain how best to intervene • Lack of time © The Olweus Bullying Prevention Group, 2007 27

Let’s talk about it • Given what we learned from Graham’s presentation and what we now know about best practices in bullying prevention, how can we create a safe environment for LGBT Youth?

For more information www. stopbullying. gov www. olweus. org www. clemson. edu/olweus www. stopbullyingworld. org

Mary Yoder Holsopple Bullying Prevention Coordinator Elkhart Community Schools 201 West Wolf Street Elkhart, IN 46516 574 -295 -4840 mholsopple@elkhart. k 12. in. us

sources • Some power point slides from training slides provided by the Olweus Bullying Prevention Group, 2004 & 2007, 2009 as noted. • www. stopbullyingworld. org • www. stopbullyingnow. hrsa. gov • Davis, Stan Schools Where Everyone Belongs, Research Press, 2007 • Williard, Nancy cyberbullying and cyberthreats, Research Press, 2007