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Bullying/Harassment Prevention & the Promotion of Safe Schools
Bullying/Harassment Prevention & the Promotion of Safe Schools
ASCA Position
ASCA Position
School counselors recognize the impact a safe and caring environment has on student achievement and social/emotional development. To foster a positive school climate, school counselors work to identify and remove systemic barriers that hinder a safe and caring school environment and culture. School counseling programs promote anti-bullying, anti-harassment and violence-prevention programs, schoolwide positive behavior interventions and support, along with comprehensive conflict-resolution programs to foster a positive school climate.
The Rationale
The Rationale
Promoting a positive school climate and developing positive relationships with caring adults is key to improving school success and reducing bullying, harassment and excessive disciplinary problems (DeVoogd, Lane-Garon, & Kralowec, 2016). School stakeholders recognize the need to provide a safe school climate, which leads to increased student achievement and decreased discipline (Mapp & Bergman, 2019). Incidents threatening student and staff safety include bullying, harassment, violence, weapons or gang behavior (Ercek & Birel, 2021).
Prevention activities are integral to creating a safe school environment free of fear, bullying, harassment and violence. Delivered by school counselors, teachers, administrators, student support personnel and qualified community experts, prevention programs increase the opportunity for improved academic achievement, appropriate behavior, positive relationships, successful conflict resolution, safe school climate and increased attendance (London & Standeven, 2017). Participating in prevention activities empowers and encourages students to work in collaboration with their school and community in creating a safe school environment and culture.
Summary
Summary
School counselors understand the positive effects of a safe and caring school environment. Through participation in prevention programs and activities aimed at anti-bullying, anti-harassment and violence prevention, school counselors foster opportunities for students to learn communication, problem solving and conflict resolution skills that help them achieve their goals and establish successful relationships. School counselors collaborate with teachers, instructional support personnel, administrators, families and the community to deliver prevention programs encouraging student growth and achievement and ensuring a safe school climate.
Freedom High School uses Sources of Strength to model student behaviors and expectations, as well as equip students with the "strength" to combat bullying, as well as stand up for self and/or others whom may be the victim of bullying.
Sources of Strength is a strength-based, comprehensive wellness program that focuses on suicide prevention but impacts other issues such as substance abuse and violence. The program is based on a relational connections model that uses teams of Peer Leaders mentored by Adult Advisors to change peer social norms about help seeking and encourages students to individually assess and develop strengths in their life.
Resources & Education
Resources & Education
Web-Based Resources:
You can find some detailed information for helping and supporting someone who is dealing with bullying here:
The Born This Way Foundation is a movement started by Lady Gaga and her mother, Cynthia Germanotta, to empower youth to create a kinder and braver world.
This site was developed by the National Association of School Psychologists and the National Council for Behavioral Health. It offers mental health resources and tips related to stress management, resiliency, bullying, suicide prevention, and building healthy relationships.
Pacer's National Bullying Prevention Center
Features information and resources for children, teens, parents and educators around bullying topics with a particular focus on students with disabilities. Their additional websites www.teensagainstbullying.org and www.kidsagainstbullying.org are designed for kids by kids and feature videos and art, games and activities, and developmentally appropriate information for kids about bullying.
StopBullying.gov provides information from various government agencies on how kids, teens, young adults, parents, educators and others in the community can prevent or stop bullying.
A bullying prevention and intervention curriculum that includes film-based educational resources.
US DOE Safe and Supportive Schools
Provides tools and manuals, research briefs, and additional readings about topics within the broad areas of school engagement, environment, and safety. The “School Climate Measurement” portion of the website features a school climate measurement tool compendium.
Phone Numbers:
If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis and in need of immediate support, you can access emergency help in these ways:
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org
Through Loudoun County Mental Health Emergency Services, help is available 24 hours, 7 days a week for youth who are experiencing immediate and severe emotional crises at 703-777-0320. Non-emergency appointments can be made at 703-771-5100.
In an emergency, call 911 and ask for a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Deputy. Also, there is free, confidential 24/7 support available:
PRS CrisisLink: 703-527-4077 or text "CONNECT" to 855-11
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-TALK (8255)
SAMHSA National Helpline: 800-662-HELP (4357)
Children's Regional Crisis Response (CR2): 844-NCrisis (627-4747) in English and Espanol Hopeline: Chat at www.hopeline.com or call 800-784-2433
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