School bullying data is collected by The National School Safety Center (NSSC). The center collects data on incidents of crime and violence in schools across the country. Since July of 1992, the center has tracked and compiled data for analysis.
This information is provided for parents and schools to help them recognize common characteristics of potentially violent bullies. This data can be a valuable tool in early detection of students with problems and prevention of violent bullying in schools. Here are the center's findings:
- Anger easily,
- Be preoccupied with explosives, firearms;
- Be obsessed with violent television, music, or literature;
- have parents or guardians who enable the behavior to continue by their inaction or encouragement;
- Lack of remorse and blaming others for problems; or
- Depression with extreme mood changes.
- Resort to name-calling;
- Use abusive language, curses;
- Make violent threats;
- May perceive themselves as superior to others and feel justified in their behavior;
- Abuse drugs, alcohol, or other substances; or
- Threaten or attempt suicide.
- Has no support at home from a caring adult;
- Has discipline problems at school and in community;
- Is truant, suspended, or is expelled from school;
- Is cruel to animals;
- Glorifies violence and fantasizes about controlling others through violence and intimidation;
- Has parents who encourage problem behavior or do nothing to stop it;
- Hangs out with others who have similar problems or isolates herself; and
- Has been abused or neglected or has witnessed abuse and neglect in the home.
- The student has brought any weapon to school, such as a gun or knife, or states he intends to do so;
- She bullies or intimidates peers or younger children;
- He destroys property;
- She has been abused or neglected;
- He has a preoccupation with sex and degradation of women and girls (mostly found in males);
- Spreads lies, rumors, sets "traps" to embarrass, humiliate, sabotage, or injure, or encourages others to gang up on the victim;
- Participates in gang or fringe group activity; and/or
- School work reflects dark attitudes, preoccupation with death and violence.
- Cruelty to animals;
- Early and persistent speech impairments; and
- Delayed or problematic toileting skills.
Fortunately, unresponsiveness by authorities is rare. However, if you do not get the assistance you need:
- Contact your state's department of education or the United States Department of Education for assistance. The department may investigate and intervene; or
- Contact your state senator or the governor's office. This may seem extreme, but if you have a valid concern, state authorities will assist.
Protecting Children from Bullying - Parents can take steps to protect their children:
- If your child could be hurt or assaulted, consider removing him from school until the problem is addressed.
- Consider requesting enrollment in a different school, home room, or teacher team.
- Consider home schooling, a private school, or online instruction until the dangerous behavior is under control or the offending student is under control.
- If your child is suffering emotionally, and the problem is not being addressed, consider requesting home/hospital instruction. Schools typically provide up to a few hours a week of instruction to students who cannot attend school for medical reasons.
If you and your child's physician believe it is unsafe for your child to attend school and that his mental, physical, and/or emotional health are being harmed, the physician can assist you with making a request for these services. Admittedly, home services are not ideal, and this is not a long-term solution to the problem. It may, however, be necessary to protect your child.
- Build a strong social support system for your child. Help your child make friends at school. Support those relationships by inviting the children to your home.
Provide positive and nurturing experiences for your child and his friends together. Making and keeping friends is a very important social and psychological support to your child. Bullies can be deflected by a strong social support system.
- Support your child's teacher and other school staff. Although your schedule may be tight, it is important to make time to develop a positive relationship with the teacher. If you are a supportive, reliable parent, teachers will naturally take you seriously when you raise concerns about school safety. Make time to volunteer, raise funds, or even simply send positive notes to teachers and other staff to thank them for their work.
