Bullying, Harrasment and Suicide Prevention
Overview of Bullying & Hazing Prevention Program
While the NSIs of the North Cobb-Harrison NJROTC unit are responsible for implementing hazing and bullying prevention programs, the goal of the program is that it should be led by the NJROTC unit's cadet leadership. The unit's program must ensure cadets can report improper conduct without fear of reprisal and take corrective action as deemed necessary to prevent recurrence in accordance with school policies regarding misconduct.
1. Hazing: the practice of rituals and other activities involving harassment, abuse, or humiliation used as a way of initiating a person into a group. Hazing is any action or situation, with or without the consent of the participants, which recklessly, intentionally, or unintentionally endangers the mental, physical, or academic health or safety of a student
2. Bullying: any type of unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance with the intent to abuse, embarrass, control and/or harm the victim
3. Cyber Bullying: is bullying that uses electronic communications devices, and it cannot be ignored a s an avenue for bullying and sexual harassment. With the proliferation of social media, most students are aware of cyber bullying immediately and quite often know the perpetrator and the victim. However, most cyber bullying goes unreported. Nobody deserves to be bullied or sexually harassed, and it is our shared responsibility to ensure it doesn't happen
4. Sexual Harassment: is bullying of a sexual nature and includes the creation of an atmosphere of fear or mistrust. Hazing/bullying is not acceptable in any form in the NJROTC program.
NJROTC cadets should feel confident in their knowledge of hazing and bullying prevention, and apply that knowledge throughout their school and community. We want and expect our cadets to be role models for other students to emulate. As professionals we understand that there is no place for any form of hazing or bullying
Bystander Intervention
Bystander intervention is the act of feeling empowered and equipped with the knowledge and skills to effectively assist in the prevention of inappropriate behavior or assault. Bystander intervention and bystander education programs teach potential witnesses safe and positive ways to prevent or intervene when there is a risk for violence. This approach gives students specific roles that they can use in preventing assault, including naming and stopping situations that could lead to violence before it happens, stepping in during an incident, and speaking out against ideas and behaviors that support violence. It also gives students the skills to be an effective and supportive ally to victims in the aftermath of violence.
The following are essential components of our unit's bystander intervention program:
(1) Creating and nurturing a climate of caring for all students and staff.
(2) Teaching students to recognize instances of bullying and distinguish between tattling and reporting.
(3) Teaching students to develop empathy for victims and dealing with guilt for not intervening (not blaming the victim).
(4) Teaching students how to report bullying to adults and to develop effective means of intervention.
(5) Setting up a peer warning system.
(6) Empowering bystanders to intervene.
(7) Teaching conflict resolution skills.
Bystander Intervention training is being incorporated into the leadership training that is given each year within our NJROTC classrooms. The ultimate goal of the NJROTC Bystander Intervention Program is that it be led by the senior cadet staff.
Suicide Prevention
The goal of the NJROTC unit suicide prevention program is to provide the mechanisms necessary to identify and respond to students who are at risk of self-destructive behaviors or possible suicide. The following are essential components of our unit's program:
a. The ability to recognize behavioral patterns and other warning signs that indicate that a young person may be at risk of suicide.
b. Active intervention that explores the level of risk without increasing it.
c. Ensuring that at risk students receive the necessary services.
d. Working with our school's counseling program for the implementation of measures following a crisis or traumatic event, to reduce the risk to those who have witnessed or been affected by the tragedy. The suicide, or violent or unexpected death, of a student or teacher can result in an increased risk of suicide for other vulnerable young people.
It can't be emphasized enough that we are not counselors or professional mental health experts - our goal is not to treat/counsel but to identify those students who may have a need in this area and to help get them the expert counseling that they need.
Teen suicide warning signs (from www.teensuicide.us)
It is important to take the warning signs of teen suicide seriously and to seek help if you think that you know a teenager who might be suicidal. Here are some of the things to look for:
Disinterest in favorite extracurricular activities
Problems at work and losing interest in a job
Substance abuse, including alcohol and drug (illegal and legal drugs) use
Behavioral problems
Withdrawing from family and friends
Sleep changes
Changes in eating habits
Begins to neglect hygiene and other matters of personal appearance
Emotional distress brings on physical complaints (aches, fatigues, migraines)
Hard time concentrating and paying attention
Declining grades in school
Loss of interest in schoolwork
Risk taking behaviors
Complains more frequently of boredom
Does not respond as before to praise
Not all of these teen suicide warning signs will be present in cases of possible teen suicide. There are many cases in which a good student commits suicide. It is important to watch for two or three signs as indications of depression, or even teen suicidal thoughts.
If you, or someone you know, is dealing with some of the warning signs above and may be thinking about suicide, please contact one of your NJROTC Instructors or school staff directly as soon as possible.