HARASSMENT, BUllying, & Cyber-Bullying
Stoppying bullying on the spot
When adults respond quickly and consistently to bullying behavior they send the message that it is not acceptable. Research shows this can stop bullying behavior over time.
Parents, school staff, and other adults in the community can help kids prevent bullying by talking about it, building a safe school environment, and creating a community-wide bullying prevention strategy. Read more...
Canfield's Anonymous Bully/Safety Tip Line:
Please know that our administrators and counselors take these reports very seriously and thoroughly investigate each reported incidence while doing everything possible to protect the identity of those who have filed the report. However, we can only help if we are made aware of a situation! Please contact your school's principal or school counselor to report information if you have a concern.
Don't be a bystander - become an upstander
Bystanders are kids and teens who witness bullying and cyber-bullying in action, who stand by and watch, who videotape it and make it viral ... and WHO DO AND SAY NOTHING. Very often bystanders don’t know what to do. They’re afraid of retaliation or fear that their own group will exclude them for helping an outsider. When you’re a bystander it’s important to know that by doing nothing you are sending a message to the bully that their behavior is acceptable. It isn’t!
And that’s not a message you want to send, nor is it a message you would want someone to send if you were a victim. Yes, it is scary to directly confront a bully and sometimes it can mean taking a big risk.
STAND UP! Whether you know the victim or not, there are things that you as a bystander can safely do to support the victim:
Don't laugh
Don't encourage the bully in any way
Don't participate
Stay at a safe distance and help the target get away
Don’t become an "audience" for the bully
Reach out in friendship
Help the victim in any way you can
Support the victim in private
If you notice someone being isolated from others, invite them to join you
Include the victim in some of your activities
Tell an adult
There is strength in numbers. Every school and every community has more caring kids than bullies - including ours.
Helpful Resources
Bullying
- A federal government website managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that discusses bullying, cyber-bullying, and prevention as well as resources for training, state laws, and things kids can do to stop bullying.
- STOMP Out Bullying™ is the leading national nonprofit dedicated to changing the culture for all students. It works to reduce and prevent bullying, cyber-bullying and other digital abuse, educates against homophobia, LGBTQ+ discrimination, racism and hatred, and deters violence in schools, online and in communities across the country. In this diverse world, STOMP Out Bullying promotes civility, inclusion and equality. It teaches effective solutions on how to respond to all forms of bullying, as well as educating kids and teens in school and online. It provides help for those in need and at risk of suicide, and raises awareness through peer mentoring programs in schools, public service announcements by noted celebrities, and social media campaigns.
- Bystander Revolution is a website offering practical, crowdsourced advice about simple things individuals can do to defuse bullying and help shift the culture. No matter who you are or what you’re facing, you can find personal stories, suggestions, and encouragement from someone who has dealt with a similar issue. Search by problem or solution to find tips from people who have been targets, people who have been bystanders, and even people who have bullied.