Bystander Bullies
If there is one thing that Bullies like more than being a Bully, is employing an audience. The more the merrier as far the as the Bully is concerned and is the fuel to ignite the fire they need as they humiliate someone else; something that far too often leads to violence. Bystander Bullies are just as harmful to a bullying situation, especially if that fire gets lit. A bystander bully is described as someone who is indirectly involved with the increase of bullying to someone else.
Children seeing bullying situations far more often than they should. Often time that are not sure what to do when they happen upon a situation like that. Many of them just want to go along for the ride and see what all the chaos and commotion is about. However there are many in those crowds that would like to break up the situation, but out of the fear of retaliation for being a whistle-blower or a 'goody-two shoes', decide against it. Besides preventing ourselves from being an audience to add fuel to the bully's fire there are still other things we can do to increase the message that bullying will not be tolerated.
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5 Key Tips to Avoid Being a Bully Bystander.
1. Be a Friend.
Sometimes simply being nice to someone who is being bullied is helpful. Letting them know that you do not agree with it and asking if there is anything you can do lets them know that someone cares. Encouraging them to,
2. Talk to an adult.
Talk to an adult is also being a friend. If this is not something that they feel comfortable with then as a friend you should find an adult you trust to handle the situation before it gets worse. If there is no adult around and the situation seems to escalate then you can,
3. Assist with an Escape.
Create a distraction so that the attention is off of the bully. If the bully doesn't have the needed audience then there's no reason to go on. Only intervene on bullying situations when it is safe to do so. And do not intervene through the use of violence. This only escalates the situation and a bystander should be able to,
4. Set a Good Example.
Be a leader to those around you. Encourage them about the negative effects of bullying and actively participate in anti-bullying projects and initiatives. Promote the motto of respecting individuality and giving awareness to cultivating a bully FREE culture. And again, the number one thing you can do to prevent being a Bully Bystander is
5. Don't Be an Audience.
Prevent the fire before it starts. |