The following websites are an excellent source for advice on child safety for parents, teachers, and even for children themselves.
The Canada Safety Council
http://www.safety-council.org/info/child/
A comprehensive listing of child safety related topics, from babysitting to road safety to accident prevention and advice on keeping children safe while home alone. Includes a link to Elmer the Safety Elephant's home page - a resource for children aged 4 - 8, their parents and teachers.
Child Find Canada
http://www.childfind.ca/
A Canada wide agency that aids in the search for missing children, Child Find also offers fact sheets on how child abduction can be prevented through safety tips geared at children of a variety of ages, parents, teachers, child care professionals and those in the health care industry.
Government of Canada - Services for Children
http://www.communication.gc.ca/guides/children_enfants/03_e.html
A large directory of government-approved resources to aid in keeping Canadian children safe and secure. Includes specific information such as product safety recalls, advice for children who are lost and for coping with emergencies and disasters.
Children's Safety Association of Canada
http://www.safekid.org/form.htm
Upon registering for a free membership in the association, parents will be mailed a free "safety pack", which includes a reference manual, window blind safety kit, child identification kit, safety stickers and bulletins.
Sections 1 – 4 of the following is an excerpt from a publication entitled Bullying, provided by John Howard Society of Waterloo-Wellington, 289 Frederick Street Kitchener, ON
Similar resources are available from John Howard Society on the following subjects:
Drugs & Alcohol; Negative Peer Influence; Rebellious Behaviour; Stealing; Vandalism; and Withdrawing Behavior.
1. What is Bullying
Bullying is an aggressive use of power. In other words, when one person purposely uses his/her power to hurt, frighten or control another person, s/he is bullying.
Bullying is sometimes obvious and noticeable, including behaviours such as rumours, exclusion (leaving someone out), dirty looks, intimidation, harassment and manipulation.
2. Why Do People Bully
Bullying is often a repetitive behaviour; it happens over and over again. This happens because the bully is getting something out of it. Bullying behaviour is rewarded by…
- Attention (even getting in trouble is attention)
- Control (being the boss)
- Influence with Peers (peers look to him/her for leadership/protection)
- Entertainment (thinking it’s funny that others are afraid)
- Material Possessions (money, clothes, trendy items…)
- Status/Popularity (may seem to have a lot of ‘friends’ and supporters)
- Excitement (thrill of ‘running the show’)
- Keeping up a Reputation (peers see him/her as gutsy or as a risk-taker)
3. Is it Bullying or Just Regular Kid Stuff?
We all know that people don’t always get along. A certain amount of conflict is normal and can even be healthy; it shows that we care about something or that we are interested in defending our views. We all need to learn and practice our skills at dealing with the problems in our lives. In normal conflict situations the people involved are, more or less, on equal footing. Each person feels that s/he has some control in the situation. Conflict is different than bullying. In bullying situations, there is a clear imbalance of power. The bully and the victim have different emotional reactions to what is happening. The bully often will now show empathy for the victim and will generally conclude that it’s ‘no big deal’. The victim, however, is likely to feel helpless, upset, intimidated and unable to defend himself. This may have little to o with physical strength, although, it is sometimes a factor. More often, the victim simply feels that if he speaks up, takes action, or asks for help, the abuse will get worse.
It is appropriate, in conflict situations, to let kids ‘work it out’ for themselves. In bullying situations it is not. Victims of bullying need adults to intervene because, without adult help, they are unable to shift the balance of power. In fact, when adults intervene, it is not only the victims who are thankful. Many bystanders are also relieved, since they too live in fear of being victimized.
4. Those Who Bully
When compared to other children, bullies are much more likely to get into trouble with the law and to have violent relationships. Bullies are also likely to be hyperactive and aggressive both physically and through indirect ways. This puts them at risk of assault and other violent charges. Many verbal forms of bullying are linked to criminal charges (e.g. uttering threats, harassment…). There are also school disciplinary sanctions (e.g. detentions, suspensions or expulsions…) that could be used and may remain on the bully’s school record for his school career. As long as a bully is being rewarded for his behaviour, it is unlikely he will just stop on his own.
Bullies often try to defend their behaviour by claiming their actions are in self-defense, sayings things like:
- She started it
- He pushed me first
- She bugs me all the time. She was asking for it.
- He was making fun of a younger kid
5. If You Are Being Bullied
- Try to stay calm and look as confident as you can
- Be firm and clear; look them in the eye and tell them to stop
- Get away from the situation as quickly as possible
- Tell an adult what has happened right away
6. After You Have Been Bullied
- Tell a teacher or another adult in your school
- Tell your family
- If you are scared to tell a teacher or an adult on your own, ask a friend to go with you
- Keep on speaking until someone listens and does something to stop the bullying
- Don’t blame yourself for what has happened
