Bullying Bystanders Unite to Stop Bullying

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NATIONAL BULLYING BYSTANDERS UNITE WEEK IS OCTOBER 13 - 19, 2013

	Click here to watch a video created by teens in New Hampshire that shows what to do if you are a bystander to take the power away from the bully. This video came in as an honorable mention in our annual video contest.

		YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE A teen member of Hey U.G.L.Y. reported being thrown to the ground and repeatedly kicked in the face by a bully while 20 of his classmates stood around and did nothing to help. When we heard his story we contacted a friend at the police department who informed us that unless there were eye witnesses or video footage not much could be done other than his parents filing a report. It's the same for schools. A principal can't reprimand a student who bullies unless there's proof or a witness.
So why don't we try to stop it or at least report it??? Most of us think that stepping in will make the bully go after us. We also believe reporting a bully is snitching. That's why we started Bullying Bystanders Unite. Together with the police we developed safety tips to help you safely come to the aid of someone being bullied. After you read the tips click here to take the pledge to show this young man that the pain he suffered was not in vain.
AS A BYSTANDER YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE PROTECTED. FOLLOW THE FOLLOWING:
BULLYING BYSTANDERS UNITE SAFETY RULES PHYSICAL BULLYING SAFETY RULES Rule #1: If you see ONE bully physically hurting someone and you are alone go to a safe place and call 911 then find an adult and ask them to help out. Rule #2: If you see ONE bully physically hurting someone and you are with at least four friends have one immediately call 911. Have another quickly find an adult while the remaining two go to a safe place where they can witness the bullying but not be seen by the bully. If possible, use your cell phone to record the incident. Give the video footage to a trusted adult. DO NOT POST IT ON THE INTERNET. If you see someone being physically bullied at school, you should tell your teacher, counselor, or another adult. VERBAL/EMOTIONAL BULLYING SAFETY RULES Rule #1: If you are alone, walk over to the person being bullied and tell them you need their help to do something. Then take them away from the bully as calmly, but quickly as you can. Take them to a trusted adult and report what you saw. Rule #2: If you are in a group, form a circle around the person being bullied and tell them you want to hang out with them. Then get them away from the bully. Take them to a trusted adult and report what you saw. "Be careful not to enter into the struggle unless you can be assisted by others," advises Police Chief, Mark Swistek. "Be the best witness you can be by observing or recording the occurrence and other necessary information. This rule also applies to adults. If you're unsure of your abilities or cannot be assisted by others, we encourage witnesses to immediately call 911 and stand by to provide us with the information related to the incident. You can also report anonymously." SCHOOL DANGER ALERT If you hear someone talking about doing harm to anyone at your school or bringing a weapon to school immediately report it to your principal or school counselor. If you want to be anonymous let them know and also tell your parents. You could be saving lives!
REMEMBER: YOU CAN SNITCH CONFIDENTIALLY. AND YOU COULD BE SAVING A LIFE Statistics on youth who are choosing to end their lives because of bullying makes us think ... IF SNITCHING COULD SAVE A LIFE THEN WE'RE GOING TO SNITCH!!! We hope you will too. UNDERSTANDING THE BULLY Youth who bully usually do it because they are being bullied by someone else and they feel powerless. Bullying someone they consider weaker gives them the sense of having power. If bystanders egg the bully on they feel even more powerful. This isn't real power it is a fleeting feeling. Please watch this video created by youth in New Hampshire that shows three scenarios of how bystanders can impact a bullying situation. TAKE THE PLEDGE NOW SHOW THIS TEEN THAT HIS SUFFERING WAS NOT IN VAIN Click here to read about STUDENTS taking the pledge Read about how five teen girls stopped bullying.