Tuesday 11 September 2012

Bullying: A different Approach


Bullying: A different approach

Here are some different approaches to bullying you might like to consider:


 
  • The bullying experience is made up of observable (behaviours) and hidden (meaning, beliefs and states) components.

  • Most common definitions of bullying have four components; intention to cause harm; is repeated, involves an interaction between people and a perceived power imbalance.

  • The behaviour of the bully and a power imbalance are the focus of most definitions of bullying, and how the target thinks is usually ignored.

  • The two missing, yet crucial components of the bullying experience are how the target thinks about the bullying (the beliefs and meanings of the target), and the unresourceful state of the target. 

  • Your child’s beliefs, meanings and states play a major part in their shaping their bullying experience. 

  • The success or failure of the bullying attempt is ultimately determined by the meaning your child gives it.

  • State plays a major role in how your child experiences bullying.

  • While the behaviour and intention of the bully is out of the control of your child, they can control their responses, including what they think, feel, say and do.

  • The effectiveness of the bullying behaviour is determined by the meaning your child gives the behaviour.

  • Bullies are children making really bad decisions about how they treat others based on their understanding of the world. 

  • Parents who are of most help to their child are the ones who have taken the time to inform themselves about how bullying works, and have firstly explored their own thinking and feeling about bullying.

Tuesday 4 September 2012

Brodie's Law Geelong Launch

Last Friday I was lucky enough to speak at the Geelong launch of Brodie's Law.  Brodie's law now means that bullies can be charged with a criminal offense, and sentenced to up to ten years jail.  The law was named after Brodie Panlock, who sadly took her life at aged nineteen, because of serious work place bullying.  Her parents Rae and Damien spoke at the launch, and it was incredible inspirational to hear their story, and desire to use the tragic loss of their only daughter to help others.  Brodie's Law in not yet Australia wide, and her parents are actively working to make the Victorian Law nation wide.