Definitions of Bullying and Harassment

What is bullying?

According to the Education Act: 1. “bullying” means typically repeated and hostile or demeaning behaviour by a student,

a) that occurs while at school, at a school-related activity or in another situation where the behaviour is likely to have a negative impact on the school climate;

b) where the behaviour is intended by the student to have the effect of, or the student ought to know that the behaviour would be likely to have the effect of, i) causing harm, fear or distress to another individual, including physical, psychological, social or academic harm, harm to the individual’s reputation or harm to the individual’s property, or ii) creating a negative learning environment for another individual, and

c) where the behaviour occurs in a context where there is a real or perceived power imbalance between the student and the individual based on factors such as size, strength, intelligence, peer group power, race, colour, ancestry, nationality, ethnic origin, place of origin, creed, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family status, family affiliation, political belief, political association or social condition; (intimidation)

1.1 For the purposes of the definition of “bullying” in subsection (1), behaviour includes the use of any physical, verbal, electronic, written or other means.

1.2 Bullying by electronic means, referred to in subsection (1.1) and commonly known as cyber-bullying

a) typically repeated and hostile or demeaning electronic communication by a student i) through the use of technology including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, computers, other electronic devices, social networks, text messaging, instant messaging, websites and electronic mail, and ii) that is intended by the student to have the effect of, or the student ought to know that the communication would be likely to have the effect of, causing harm, fear or distress to another individual, including psychological, social or academic harm, or harm to the individuals reputation

According to the Red Cross: Bullying is a form of aggression where there is a power imbalance; the person doing the bullying has power over the person being victimized.

The different types of bullying

· Physical bullying: using physical force or aggression against another person (e.g., hitting)

· Verbal bullying: using words to verbally attack someone (e.g., name-calling)

· Social/relational bullying: trying to hurt someone through excluding them, spreading rumours or ignoring them (e.g., gossiping)

· Cyberbullying: using electronic media to threaten, embarrass, intimidate, or exclude someone, or to damage their reputation (e.g., sending threatening text messages).

The difference between bullying and harassment

Bullying and harassment are similar, yet different:

· Harassment is similar to bullying because someone hurts another person through cruel, offensive and insulting behaviours. Harassment is different from bullying in that it is a form of discrimination.

What is discrimination?

Discrimination is treating someone differently or poorly based on certain characteristics or differences. Bullying turns into harassment when the behaviour goes against Canada’s Human Rights Laws and focuses on treating people differently because of:

· Age

· Race (skin colour, facial features)

· Ethnicity (culture, where they live, how they live, how they dress)

· Religion (religious beliefs)

· Sex

· Sexual orientation (if they are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or heterosexual)

· Family status (if they are from a single parent family, adopted family, step family, foster family, non-biological gay or lesbian parent family)

· Marital status (if they are single, legally married, common-law spouse, widowed, or divorced)

· Physical and mental disability (if they have a mental illness, learning disability, use a wheelchair)

Source: https://www.redcross.ca/how-we-help/violence-bullying-and-abuse-prevention/educators/bullying-and-harassment-prevention/definitions-of-bullying-and-harassment

What does JBT do at school to prevent bullying?

At JBT we are PROS (we keep pride, respect, ownership, and safety in all we do)We follow the 7 Teachings - Be respectful, be humble, be truthful, be wise, be honest, be loving, be courageous (brave).All classrooms have rules/guidelines that all students discuss and agree upon at the beginning of each school year.Staff are trained and utilize social responsibility and self-regulation strategies and resources in classrooms and throughout the school.

All staff at JBT Elementary School take seriously all allegations of bullying behaviour and act in a timely, sensitive, and supportive manner when responding to students, parents/guardians, and others who disclose or report bullying incidents. When a staff member becomes aware of an incident that may be bullying, they must report the incident to the principal with a written report. All written reports will be made on the bullying Incident Reporting Form.

Where the bullying situation occurs at school - staff will ensure that the students involved are safe. When JBT Elementary School staff witness or receive a report of bullying they will
- stop the bullying immediately
- address the behaviour and identify it - what PROS behaviour(s) is being violated that needs to be stopped
- escort the student accused of bullying to the office to speak with the principal who will deal with the incident (during COVID the classroom teacher may address the issue or ask the principal/vice-principal to come to the class to discuss the incident with the student)
- complete the bullying incident reporting form to give to the principal
- help with the investigation and support the student(s)

JBT Elementary School has a progressive discipline policy that guides the choice of fair and "fitted" consequences for minor and major misconduct (bullying). Progressive discipline means that students receive consequences that help and support them to learn from the experience, to take ownership and to "right" their "wrong". If the bullying behaviour continues, consequences become more severe, in line with the characteristics of the situation including: the age of the students, prior history of the students, any exceptionalities of the students, and the incident severity.