The Five W’s of Bullying and Tips for Prevention

1) Who?

Bullying can occur in any youth-serving organization.  Research shows that every 7 minutes a child is bullied at school and approximately 160,000 children miss school each day due to fear of bullying.

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2) What? 

Experts define bullying as intentional, repeated, unpleasant, or negative behavior by one or more persons directed against a person who has difficulty defending himself or herself. The six common types of bullying include the following: physical, verbal, nonverbal and relational, cyber-bullying, hazing and sexualized bullying.

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3) When? 

Certain activities create more opportunities for bullying behaviors including: transition times, times when youth are crowded together, activities with mixed ages, activities that involve changing clothes, free time, overnight trips, and before and after school.

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4) Where?

Like high-risk activities, high-risk locations also contribute to increased bullying behaviors. Secluded areas, out-of-the-way locations, stairwells, bathrooms, locker rooms, and buses are common places that youth use to bully others because they are isolated and less monitored.

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5) Why? 

Bullying may occur for many different reasons.  We once considered it “normal” childhood behavior, but we know now that we must take action to stop it in our youth-serving organizations.

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Tips for Prevention

• Policies:
  • Bullying prevention policies and procedures
• Training:
  • Online training course “Preventing Bullying” on Praesidium Academy
  • Onsite training workshops for employees and volunteers
• Consumer Participation:
  • Educational materials for parents and youth