ANTI-BULLYING INFORMATION
A person is bullied when he or she is exposed, repeatedly and over time, to negative actions on the part of one or more other persons, and he or she has difficulty defending himself or herself.” (from Olweus’ website)
For Bullying to occur, three (3) major components must be present:
- Bullying is aggressive behavior that involves unwanted, negative actions.
- Bullying involves a pattern of behavior repeated over time.
- Bullying involves an imbalance of power or strength
Bullying may involve the following components:
- Derogatory comments and bad names
- Social exclusion or isolation
- Physical harm such as hitting, kicking, shoving, and spitting
- Telling lies and spreading false rumors
- Having money or other things taken or damaged by others
- Being threatened or being forced to do things by others
- Racial comments
- Inappropriate comments about an individuals sexual orientation
- Harassment via cell phone or Internet
The Upper Dauphin Area School District has a policy to deal with bullying within its schools. More information about the policy may be found at the following link: Bullying Policy
Students experiencing bullying should first talk to the school’s guidance counselor or principal to discuss their concerns. If the student does not feel comfortable talking to those resources, the student may submit the information using the Safe2Say Program. Community members may also submit concerns to the building principal or use the Safe2Say Program.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education, Office of Safe Schools, reminds individuals about the availability of a Bullying Consultation Line. The toll free number will allow individuals experiencing chronic and unresolved bullying to discuss effective strategies and available resources to deal with school-based bullying. This supportive resource was developed in cooperation with the Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and is available at no cost to students, parents/guardians and school districts across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The consultation line number is: 1-866-716-0424. Messages can be left 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and will be returned during normal business hours.
