Bullying: What can you do as a parent?


As a parent or carer you may wonder when to introduce the subject of bullying – you might even have concerns now that your child is being bullied. There are positive steps you can take to support your child:


1 Make sure your child knows they can talk to you if they have any worries or concerns.


2 Help them to understand the difference between falling out with friends, being a bit mean and signs that they might be experiencing bullying. Bullying is persistent, there’s an intent to cause harm and there’s an abuse of power.


3 Recognise signs that your child might be being bullied – these could include a change in behaviour (e.g becoming withdrawn or lashing out), a reluctance to go to school or to usual activities, unexplained illness, lost belongings, torn clothes and even physial injuries.


4 Stay calm. Your child might be scared to tell you they’re being bullied in case you get angry and upset. Take time to listen and establish the facts, then ask your child what they want to happen next.


5 Make sure you’re a good role model. Little eyes are always watching us. How we manage conflict in our relationships and how we treat other people has a big impact on our children.


6 Report the bullying to the school. Before approaching the school, make sure you have concrete facts about what has happened with details of the occasions when the bullying took place with dates, places and names of the children involved. Ask about their anti- bullying policy.


Specific ways of helping a child facing bullying


Reassure your child by telling them; Bullying is not your fault. It is always wrong and you do not have to put up with it. Be confident – you have done nothing to deserve this.


• Think who can help you – other children or teachers.


• Say to someone ‘Please would you watch what is happening here?’ and ask them to help you report the incident.


•Sometimes it can help to talk to someone outside of the situation. You could call ChildLine. Work on rebuilding your child’s self-esteem. Children who have been bullied can often feel lonely and isolated, so it’s important for parents to make them feel included, loved and valued. Cushion them with light-hearted fun outside of school and take part in activities that will bolster their confidence and make them feel good about themselves. If the time is right, it may also be worth looking at self-esteem boosting activities such as one of the martial arts or a drama class


You’re not on your own. There is help available: Childline


Childline, run by the ISPCC (The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children). is Ireland’s free, confidential helpline for children and young people. Trained volunteers are on hand to provide advice and support, by phone and online, 24 hours a day.


Call Childline 1800 66 66 66 or Text Talk to 50101 www.childline.ie The ISPCC’s Shield Programme


The Shield Programme is how the ISPCC supports communities, school and clubs to tackle and prevent bullying. In 2015, almost 6,700


18 Primary Times WINTER ISSUE


The Shield Programme provides resources for free to communities all over Ireland. It is funded through fundraising. You can support the campaign by buying a bangle in Penneys’ stores nationwide. Last year, the Penneys bangles raised over €36,000 for the Shield Anti-Bullying programme.


The bangles cost just €2.50 and you can also buy Shield pins, which cost €2, at all Penneys outlets nationwide. All profits will be donated to the ISPCC Shield programme. For more see www ispcc.ie/shield.


children contacted the ISPCC about bullying. That’s 18 children per day. Because they listen to children every day, they know the impact that bullying has on their lives, on their self-esteem, on their ability to grow. That’s why they provide the Shield programme resources free of charge to schools, clubs and groups in Ireland.


In 2015, 19 Shield Flags were awarded to primary and secondary schools as well as Youthreach Centres who have completed their anti- bullying programme and achieved a high standard in this work.


Shield has four key elements:


• Shield My School Tool/Shield My Club Tool – over 200 signed up to date • Shield Youth Award – anti-bullying themed competition for students • Standing Up Online Form – an anti-bullying resource for your website • Shield Flag – gain recognition for your work against bullying


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