Anti Bullying

Bullying

● is an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal,

physical and/or social behavior that intends to cause physical, social and/or
psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power, or
perceived power, over one or more persons who feel unable to stop it from happening.

● can happen in person or online, via various digital platforms and devices and it can be
obvious (overt) or hidden (covert). Bullying behavior is repeated, or has the potential to
be repeated, over time (for example, through sharing of digital records).

● of any form or for any reason can have immediate, medium and long-term effects on
those involved, including bystanders. Single incidents and conflict or fights between
equals, whether in person or online, are not defined as bullying.

There are four main types of bullying behavior:

● Physical bullying- is a type of bullying where someone uses their body or an object to
hurt or scare another person.
● Verbal bullying- is when someone uses words to hurt or scare another person.
● Written Bullying- Written bullying includes bullying behavior that is only displayed
through written materials
● Social Bullying- is done with the intent to hurt somebody's reputation, relationships, or social
standing.
● Cyberbullying- the use of technology to harass, threaten, embarrass, or target another
person.
● Prejudicial Bullying: This is based on prejudices toward people of different races, religions, or
sexual orientations. It includes discriminatory comments or actions

Examples

● Physical- examples include: hitting, pushing, shoving or intimidating or otherwise

physically hurting another person, damaging or stealing their belongings. It includes
threats of violence
● Verbal/Written - examples include: name-calling or insulting someone about an
attribute, quality or personal characteristic
● Social Bullying (sometimes called relational or emotional bullying) - examples include:
deliberately excluding someone, spreading rumors, sharing information that will have a
harmful effect on the other person and/or damaging a person's social reputation or social
acceptance
 ● Cyberbullying - any form of bullying behavior that occurs online or via a mobile device.
It can be verbal or written, and can include threats of violence as well as images, videos
and/or audio.For more information, refer to Cyberbullying.

Causes of Bullying

Low Self-Esteem: Individuals with low self-esteem may bully others to feel more powerful or in
control1.

Family Issues: Exposure to aggressive behavior at home or lack of parental supervision can
contribute to bullying tendencies.

Peer Pressure: The desire to fit in with a group or gain social status can lead to bullying
behavior.

Mental Health Issues: Elevated levels of anxiety, depression, or anger can manifest as
bullying.

Academic Struggles: Difficulty adjusting to school or academic failures may lead to aggressive
behavior as a coping mechanism

Effects of Bullying

Mental Health Problems: Victims of bullying often experience depression, anxiety, and
increased feelings of sadness and loneliness.

Physical Health Issues: Bullying can lead to physical symptoms such as headaches,
stomachaches, and sleep disturbances.

Academic Impact: Both victims and bullies may show decreased academic achievement and
participation, leading to lower grades and higher dropout rates.

Behavioral Changes: Victims may develop nervous habits or engage in self-destructive

behaviors, while bullies may continue with risky behaviors into adulthood.

Social Isolation: Bullying can result in social withdrawal and difficulty forming healthy
relationships.

Understanding these causes and effects can help in developing effective strategies to prevent
and address bullying in schools and other environments
 In the Philippines, we are covered with REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10627

AN ACT REQUIRING ALL ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO ADOPT

POLICIES TO PREVENT AND ADDRESS THE ACTS OF BULLYING IN THEIR
INSTITUTIONS

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress

assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Anti-Bullying Act of 2013"

SEC. 2. Acts of Bullying. - For purposes of this Act, "bullying" shall refer to any severe or
repeated use by one or more students of a written, verbal or electronic expression, or a physical
act or gesture, or any combination there, elected at another student that has the effect of
actually causing or placing the latter in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm or
damage to his property; creating a hostile environment at school for the other student; infringing
on the rights of the other student at school; or materially and substantially disrupting the
education process or the orderly operation of a school; such as, but not limited to, the following:

a. Any unwanted physical contact between the bully and the victim like punching, pushing,
shoving, kicking, slapping, tickling, headlocks, inflicting school pranks, teasing, fighting and the
use of available objects as weapons;
b. Any act that causes damage to a victim's psyche and/or emotional well-being;
c. Any slanderous statement or accusation that causes the victim undue emotional distress like
directing foul language or profanity at the target, name-calling, tormenting and commenting
negatively on victim's looks, clothes and body; and
d. Cyber-bullying or any bullying done through the use of technology or any electronic means.

SECTION 3. Adoption of Anti Bullying Policies - All elementary and secondary schools are
hereby directed to adopt policies to address the existence of bullying in their respective
institutions.
Such policies shall be regularly updated and, at a minimum, shall include previsions

SECTION 4. Mechanisms to Address Bullying. - The school principal or any person who
holds a comparable role shall be responsible for the implementation and oversight of policies
intended to address bullying.
If it is determined that bullying or retaliation has occurred, the school principal or the designated
school officer or person shall:

(a) Notify the law enforcement agency if the school principal or designee believes that criminal
charges under the Revised Penal Code may be pursued against the perpetrator;
(b) Take appropriate disciplinary administrative action;
(c) Notify the parents or guardians of the perpetrator; and
(d) Notify the parents or guardians of the victim regarding the action taken to prevent any further
acts of bullying or retaliation.

SECTION 5. Reporting Requirement. - All schools shall inform their respective schools
division superintendents in writing about the anti-bullying policies formulated within six (6)
months from the effectiveness of this Act. Such notification shall likewise be an administrative
requirement prior to the operation of new schools.

SECTION 6. Sanction for Noncompliance. - In the rules and regulations to be implemented

pursuant to this Act, the Secretary of the DepED shall prescribe the appropriate administrative
sanctions on school administrators who shall fail to comply with the requirements under this Act.
In addition there too, erring private schools shall likewise suffer the penalty of suspension of
their permits to operate.

SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations

- Within ninety (90) days from the effectiveness of this Act, the DepED shall promulgate the
necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.

SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any provision of this Act is declared to be
unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions.

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or parts
thereof which are inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,
amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at
least two (2) national newspapers of general.

S-tand up
T-o bullying
O-pen your eyes
P-eople need help

Campaigns to Raise Awareness and Promote a Positive Culture in school

1. Anti-Bullying Week: Schools can organize an annual Anti-Bullying Week with activities such as
workshops, guest speakers, and student-led presentations to educate the school community
2. Peer Mentorship Programs: Implementing peer mentorship programs where older students
mentor younger ones can foster a supportive environment. Mentors can provide guidance,
support, and serve as positive role models
3. Social Media Campaigns: Schools can leverage social media platforms to run campaigns that
highlight positive behavior, share stories of kindness, and provide tips on how to stand up against
bullying.
 Reporting Mechanisms

1. Online Reporting Forms: Schools can create secure online forms where students can
confidentially report bullying incidents. These forms should be easily accessible through the
school’s website or student portals.
2. Designated Staff Members: Assigning specific staff members, such as counselors or
anti-bullying coordinators, to handle bullying reports ensures that students know who to approach
and feel safe doing so. These staff members should be trained to handle reports sensitively and
confidentially.

Immediate Response Procedures

1. Immediate Separation: When a bullying incident is reported or observed, the first step is to
separate the involved parties to ensure the victim’s safety and prevent further harm. This can be
done by moving the bully and the victim to different locations within the school.
2. Initial Investigation: Conduct a prompt and thorough investigation to gather facts about the
incident. This includes interviewing the victim, the bully, and any witnesses. Documentation of
the incident should be detailed and kept confidential.
3. Parental Notification: Inform the parents or guardians of both the victim and the bully about the
incident and the steps being taken. Keeping parents informed helps in addressing the issue
collaboratively and ensures transparency.

Support Systems for Victims

1. Counseling Services: Providing access to school counselors or psychologists who can offer
emotional support and coping strategies to victims of bullying. Regular counseling sessions can
help victims recover from the trauma and build resilience.
2. Support Groups: Establishing support groups where victims of bullying can share their
experiences and receive peer support.

References:

https://www.google.com/gasearch?q=physical%20bullying&source=sh/x/gs/m2/5

https://www.google.com/gasearch?q=verbal%20bullying&source=sh/x/gs/m2/5

https://www.google.com/gasearch?q=written%20bullying&source=sh/x/gs/m2/5
https://www.google.com/gasearch?q=social%20bullying&source=sh/x/gs/m2/5

https://www.google.com/gasearch?q=cyberbullying%20&source=sh/x/gs/m2/5