How you can help

Studies have shown that about 90 percent of children report being bullied at some point in their school careers; 56 percent of students have personally witnessed some type of bullying at school. •How you can help: Treat others with respect. If you see someone being treated unfairly, tell an adult what you saw. Silence gives a license to bullying behavior. Hitting, name-calling, leaving someone out of a group or any behavior meant to hurt another person is considered bullying. •How you can help: Choose your words and actions wisely and considerately. Sometimes body language speaks more loudly than words. Rolling your eyes, giving dirty looks and turning your back on someone can be just as hurtful as verbal put downs. •How you can help: Be aware of your own body language. Are you hurting someone without saying a word? Did you know that gossiping is a form of bullying? It is harmful and mean-spirited. •How you can help: Interrupt the cycle of gossip and don’t repeat the rumors that you hear. A person who is alone is more likely to be targeted by a bully. Studies have shown that bullying stops in less than 10 seconds when peers intervene on behalf of the victim. •How you can help: Don’t encourage or become an audience for any bullying behavior. Ask someone to join in your game or sit at your table, even if that person is not one of your friends.