Bullying/Harassment/Bystander Training

Bullying & Hazing Prevention

Overview of Bullying & Hazing Prevention Program

While the NSIs of the KMHS 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.