Acts Of Aggression and Intimidation “Bullying”

Presented by:Mara Madrigal-Weiss

What is “Bullying”?

Acts of Aggression or Intimidation …

This happens when a student is intentionally or repeatedly exposed to negative acts by one or more students.

The acts of Aggression or Intimidation Imply an Unbalance of Power and Strength.

The student who is being The student who is being bullied has difficulties bullied has difficulties

defending himself. defending himself.

In Summary…

The intention to cause harm exists

It is a repeated act

Occurs in a relationship where there is no balance of power

DIRECT ACTS Physical

Verbal

Non verbal

hitting, kicking, shoving, spitting

Provoking by making jokes, racial insults, verbal sexual

harassment

threats, obscene gestures

INDIRECT ACTS Physical

Verbal

Non verbal

make a person attack another person

spread rumors

Purposely exclude someone from the group or activity

This Problem Affects Everyone

VictimsAggressors/Predators People who witness the abuse

THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS AT SCHOOL

Interferes with student’s learning.

Creates an environment of fear and lack of respect.

The students can perceive the lack of control or attention.

THE SHORT TERM EFFECTS OF BEING A VICTIM OF AGGRESSION

Low self-esteem

Illness

Misses School

Depression and Anxiety

Suicide Thoughts

Children who are “victims” may manifest/display the following traits/characteristics: quiet, careful and sensitive

insecure, and can have low self-esteem

physically weaker (males)

worried that someone wants to hurt them

more social with adults than with other kids their age

More Effects of Aggression or Intimidation…

10% of the students who leave school before graduating reported that they did it because of frequent acts of abuse and intimidation

Long-Term Effects of Aggressive or Abusive Children

50% of those children tend to grow up to be criminals when they reach adulthood

In these children exist a tendency to not finish the university or find a good job

Children who show aggression or intimidation to others could be…

Upset, misbehaving and not showing compassion

Be aggressive with adults

good at getting out of situations when they are being accused of harming others

Have high self-esteem

Have positive attitudes about violence

Get mad or frustrated easily

Have difficulties obeying the rules

Physically bigger or stronger (males)

Reporting Victimization

A lot of children do not report anything about being bullied to school personnel.

It is less probable that older students and boys report that they have been victimized than younger students and girls.

Simple Solutions (but not necessarily right ones) to the Aggression Problem

Encourage the students to handle the problem themselves.

Teach the victims to defend themselves. Encourage them to use mediation. Increase the self-esteem of the abusers. Make the abusers take group therapy.

For more information…

Mara Madrigal-Weiss

San Diego County

Office of Education

Phone: 619-713-1073