Minimize Bullying

Return to  Top_Level_Strategy_Map  or  ZOOM MAP--Minimize Exposure to ACEs and Trauma

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While bullying and cyber-bullying were not included in the original ACEs study and are generally not counted in a typical ACE score, they are a significant source of childhood trauma that has a similar impact as the more traditional ACEs.  Exposure to prolonged and repeated abuse – like bullying and cyberbullying – impacts the development of youth, the way they interact with others, and how they perform in school. It may also affect mental and physical health.  Therefore, it makes senes to include efforts to minimize bullying and cyberbullying as part of a comprehensive strategy to minimize and address ACEs. 

Many communities already have a coalition working to address bullying (or a program in the schools), and the success of those efforts can be enhanced by bringing them into the broader collaborative efforts to minimize and address ACEs. 

While there is good research that youth who have a high ACE score are more likely to bully others (so reducing ACEs can be a means by which bullying can be reduced), this Objective focuses on reducing bullying and cyber-bullying as a way to reduce trauma experienced by youth. 

Background

Bullying and Cyberbullying is a serious problem in most communities

The following is from the Cyberbullying Research Center in 2020:  "In our study we informed students that “Bullying is when someone repeatedly threatens, harasses, mistreats, or makes fun of another person (on purpose) at school.” Based on this definition, 73% of students reported that they had been bullied at school some point in their lifetime (44% said it happened in the last 30 days). Among those who were bullied recently, 88% said they were called mean names or were made fun of in a hurtful way while 77% said they were excluded from groups or left out of things. One out of five told us that they had been threatened with a weapon at school."

For many other statistics, visit these websites:

• [https://www.broadbandsearch.net/blog/cyber-bullying-statistics

https://www.broadbandsearch.net/blog/cyber-bullying-statistics] 

• https://cyberbullying.org/

Bullying negatively impacts the mental health of students

A study in Washington showed that bullying greatly increased the risk of depression, anxiety and suicide.

Image Source:  ACEs Connection

The National Acadames of Science has a detailed report.

Tools and Resources

Solutions and Tools focused on this objective.

EVERFI has a free tool for 8-10 grades called Bullying Prevention Training Resource.

BullyBust is a nationwide anti-bullying campaign by the National School Climate Center. This campaign is catering to students, parents, and educators as they do their part in preventing and stopping bullying in schools. The resources from this campaign include tipsheets and comprehensive actionable articles.

• Students - pledge for students
• Parents - tipsheet along with an informative article
• Educators - tipsheet along with an informative article

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Promising Practices and Case Studies

Examples from communities that have implemented tools focused on this objective.

This article shares valuable examples of schools achieving greater success in reducing bullying.  (Unpack it to add details here.) 

Scorecard Building

Possible Objective Details

Possible Measures

Actions to Take

Actions for Coalitions

Actions for Individuals