Bullying is a widespread and serious problem that can happen anywhere.  It is not a phase children have to go through; it is not "just messing around".  Bullying can cause serious and lasting harm. During the 82nd Legislature, Texas lawmakers passed HB 1942, which addresses and defines bullying in public schools.

Bullying occurs when a student or group of students engages in written  or verbal expression, expression through electronic methods, or physical conduct against another student on school property, at a school-sponsored or -related activity, or in a district operated vehicle, and the behavior:

• Results in harm to the student or the student's property
• Places a student in reasonable fear of physical harm or of damage to the student's property, or
• Is so severe, persistent, and pervasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment.

This conduct is considered bullying if it exploits an imbalance of power between the student perpetrator(s) and the student victim and if it interferes with a student's education or substantially disrupts the operation of the school.

Ø   Types of Bullying
Ø   Recognizing the Warning Signs
Ø   Being Bullied
Ø   Bullying Others

Cyberbullying: Instead of happening face-to-face, cyberbullying happens through the use of technology such as computers, cell phones and other electronic devices.  Cyberbullying peaks around the end of middle school and the beginning of high school.

Examples of cyberbullying include:

• Sending hurtful, rude, or mean text messages to others
• Spreading rumors or lies about others by e-mail or on social networks
• Creating websites, videos or social media profiles that embarrass, humiliate, or make fun of others

Bullying online is very different from face-to-face bullying because messages and images can be:

• Sent 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
• Shared to a very wide audience
• Sent anonymously

Ø   Effects of Cyberbullying

Ø   What Kids, Teens Young Adults Can Do

Ø   Make Cyberbullying Stop

Ø   What Parents Can Do

Ø   How You Can Help

Ø   What Schools Can Do

Ø Student Code of Conduct

Ø Del Valle ISD Policy Links

Ø 82nd Texas Legislature Regular Session H.B. No. 1942

Ø 79th Legislative Session (2005) HB No. 283

Ø When Bullying May Be a Civil Rights Violation

Ø   Student Complaint Form

Ø   Administrator Report Form

Ø   Del Valle ISD Bullying Assessment Flow Chart

Ø   Test Your Bullying Knowledge

There is no one single cause of bullying.  Rather, individual, family, peer, school, and community factors can place someone at risk for being bullied or for bullying others.  Even if a child has one or more of the risk factors, it does not mean that they will bully or will become bullied.

Ø   Who Is At Risk of Being Bullied?

Ø   Who Is At Risk of Bullying Others?

Ø   What Does Not Increase Risk?

There are things you can do to stop the bullying. Visit pages that apply directly to you:

• Kids
• Teens
• Young Adults

If you are a parent or guardian, talk to the school administration or the adult who supervises your child's community activities.

Ø   What to Do When Bullying Continues or Gets Worse

Ø   Student Pledge

Ø   Parent Pledge

Ø   Staff Pledge

Ø     "Bullying" for Parents
Ø     Bully-proofing My Child
Ø   My Child Is Being Bullied
· Working with Your Child's School
· What Not To Do
Ø   My Child Might Be Bullying Others
· What You Can Do
Ø   Working with the School and Community
· Getting Involved In Your Community

Everyone can help prevent and stop bullying. Adults have the responsibility to protect and be role models for kids, teens, and young adults.

No matter who you are or whom you represent, you can influence lives and maybe even save a life.

Everyone needs to be aware not only about the warning signs and effects of bullying, but also about the ways to intervene and support both the person being bullied and the one bullying others. 

Ø   State Policies and Laws

Ø   Violence Prevention Program Directories

Ø   Tip Sheet and Guides

High School Students and Parents Call 512.386.3214

Resources:

No Place for Hate (Anti-Defamation League)
Stop Bullying Now
Bullying at School and Online
Stop Cyberbullying
National Crime Prevention Council: Bullying / Cyberbullying / Internet Safety
National PTA: Internet Safety / Bullying
Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use
FBI Internet Safety Website

Cyberbullying

• What Kids, Teens and Young Adults Can Do
• What Parents Can Do

In case of emergency, dial 911.

http://suicidehotlines.com/

Toll Free: 1.800.SUICIDE1.800.784.2433

 1.800.273.TALK1.800.273.8255

http://www.safeplace.org/

512.267.SAFE  or 512.927.9616

SafePlace Local: 1515A Grove Boulevard, Austin, TX

512.267.7233

Bullying for Young Adults

Chances are, you have been a part of bullying, whether you were the person who was bullied, the person bullying others, or the person who saw it happen.

When you are a young adult (over the age of 18), the rules change.  Sometimes behaviors that were considered bullying when you were younger now trigger criminal action. 

You have the power to prevent and stop bullying.  Find out how you can get help if you are being bullied or how you can avoid bullying others .

There are also ways to get involved.  Learn how you can take a stand against bullying in your community or on your campus. 

Ø   How to Deal With Being Bullied

Ø   What to Do When You Are Being Bullied

Ø   Has Someone Called You a Bully

Ø   Take a Stand Against Bullying

· What to Do When Someone Is Being Bullied

· Work to Prevent Bullying

Bullying for Teens

If you have been bullied, it may affect you in many ways .  You may not want to go to school or may find it hard to do your homework.  You may be losing sleep, eating more or less than usual, having headaches or stomachaches, or getting sick more often. Know that you do not have to feel this way.

Ø   How to Deal with Being Bullied

Ø   Has Someone Called You a Bully?

Ø   Take a Stand Against Bullying  

Bullying for Kids

Bullying is when kids hurt or scare other kids on purpose. 
Bullying can hurt everyone.
Kids who are bullied sometimes have a hard time standing up for themselves.

Ø   Are You Being Bullied?

Ø   Has Someone Called You a Bully?

Ø   Have You Seen Bullying?

Ø   Webisodes