Bullying Awareness Week: #WheretoTurn
Bullying. It’s a single word but one filled with so many dynamics and experiences. It’s personal. It’s hurtful. And it’s happening every day, not only in our schools but in our workplaces.
Bullying Awareness Week (or Anti-Bullying Week) is the third week of November and time to gain a keen understanding of what bullying is and how it impacts those around you. We want to highlight some of the relevant data around bullying and ensure everyone knows #WheretoTurn if they are being bullied.
Bullying in school
Across the country, at least one in three adolescent students have reported a recent bullying experience and in fact, Canada has the 9th highest rate of bullying of 13 year olds out of 35 countries.
A 2019 CBC News study indicated that in Alberta, 15 per cent of young people surveyed said they were threatened with physical violence involving a weapon at least once before they finished Grade 8. When our students arrived at high school, bullying only increased. Approximately two in five Albertans shared they had been physically assaulted at least once between Grades 9 to 12. On top of that, more than 30 per cent said they had been robbed of money, their phone or other valuables.
Hateful name calling, racists comments, homophobic or transphobic comments — these are all elements of bullying and all extremely prevalent in this study.
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying has increased exponentially through the COVID-19 pandemic with more and more people actively engaged in online spaces to feel connected with others. But connections still need to be genuine and trusted. Cyberbullying occurs when someone uses digital channels (email, social media, text message, etc.) to intimidate, spread rumours or say hurtful things about someone.
Online harassment is happening around the world. A recent Plan International survey revealed that 58 per cent of respondents have experienced harassment in a digital space, including abusive language and cyber bullying.
If you are being cyber-bullied:
STOP - Don’t try to reason or talk to the person who is bullying you online
BLOCK - Use “block sender” technology to prevent the person from contacting you
TALK - Tell a trusted adult or your school or workplace
SAVE - Save any instant messages or emails you may have received
Bullying at the workplace
Workplace harassment and bullying is an important issue that is coming to the forefront especially as companies transition their employees back into a physical office environment. In an earlier article, we shared more insight on what workplace harassment looks like and that 20 per cent of women and 13 per cent of men reported some form of harassment, mostly verbal abuse.
We also know from Bullying Canada that 40 per cent of Canadian workers experience bullying on a weekly basis.
Bullying in the workplace is similar to classrooms when we look at physical abuse, intimidation, spreading of rumours and offensive jokes. But it’s also considered bullying if you’re being undermined and impeded from doing your job, or your boss is constantly changing your work guidelines or setting impossible deadlines.
No matter how you’re being bullied, the important thing to remember is #WheretoTurn.
Get help
If you are a victim of bullying, there are things you can do. First, call Bullying Canada’s hotline at 1-877-352-4497.
Bullying Canada also has compiled a list of concrete actions you can take.
Walk away
Tell someone you trust
Ask for help
Stay in groups to avoid confrontation
Remind yourself you are a good person and worthy of respect
The Some Other Solutions Crisis line is available 24/7 at 780-743-HELP (4357) or book a counselling session.