The Bystander
The Media Smart Organization (http://mediasmart.org/) states that even if your child isn’t harassing another child, but knows who is, they need to come forward and tell an adult. If a person knows someone is being harassed but does nothing to stop it, then they are also responsible for the pain that person suffers.
Resources:
- Harmful Bystanders. Those who encourage and support the bully or watch the bullying from the sidelines, but do nothing to intervene or help the target. Some Harmful Bystanders:
- instigate the bullying by prodding the bully to begin.
- encourage the bullying by laughing, cheering, or making comments that further stimulate the bully.
- join in the bullying once it has begun.
- passively accept bullying by watching and doing nothing. Often without realizing it, these bystanders also contribute to the problem. Passive bystanders provide the audience a bully craves and the silent acceptance that allows bullies to continue their hurtful behaviour.
- directly intervene, by discouraging the bully, defending the victim, or redirecting the situation away from bullying.
- get help, by rallying support from peers to stand up against bullying or by reporting the bullying to adults
Resources:
- Eyes on Bullying http://www.eyesonbullying.org/bystander.html