Is it bullying if force hasn't been used?

Bullying can take many forms. It can be:

• physical - hitting, shoving, stealing or damaging property
• verbal - name calling, mocking, or making sexist, racist, or homophobic comments
• social - excluding others from a group or spreading gossip or rumours about them
• electronic (commonly known as cyberbullying) - spreading rumours and hurtful comments through the use of e-mail, cellphones, and text messaging

My child is being bullied. What should I do?

• Listen to your child and assure him that he is not to blame.
• Be clear on the facts. Make notes about what happened and when it happened.
• Help your child see that there is a difference between "ratting" or "telling on" and reporting. It takes courage to report. Reporting is done not to cause trouble for another student, but to protect all students.
• Make an appointment to talk to your child's teacher, another teacher that your child trusts, or the principal or vice-principal of the school.
• Difficult as it may be, try to remain calm so that you can support your child and plan a course of action.
• Stay on course. Keep an eye on your child's behaviour. If your meetings with school staff haven't made the bullying stop, go back and talk to the principal. Make a written follow-up plan outlining the steps for ending the bullying that were agreed to at the meeting.
• Speak to the instructor or coach if the bullying is taking place during after-school activities or sports events.
• Contact police if the bullying involves criminal behaviour, such as sexual assault or use of a weapon, or if the threat to your child's safety is in the community rather than the school.