Harassment

This type of behaviour has received a great deal of attention because of the serious negative impact it can have on the lives of children. The following provides information which explains:

- A description of harassment/bullying behaviour
- The types of harassment/bullying behaviours
- The forms of harassment/bullying behaviour
- Consequences for harassment/bullying behaviours
- Davis’ programs/strategies to prevent harassment/bullying behaviours
- Use of the Internet

This behaviour can be defined as an unwelcome comment or behaviour that causes a person to feel degraded, embarrassed, offended, threatened or hurt in any way. These actions are intentional and repetitive, exerting some form of power and control.

Sexual/Gender: Negative reference to gender-specific traits, unwanted comments, jokes and nicknames of a sexual nature.
Racial/Ethnic/Cultural/Religious: Negative reference with respect to any of these areas including derogatory comments, stereotyping and generalizations that promote negative characteristics.
Individual Differences: Negative reference to traits specific to the victim (e.g., size, weight, clothes).

Physical: Intimidation and threat, property destruction, physical contact.
Verbal: Oral or written comments, rumours, graffiti, internet.
Non-Verbal: Exclusion, intimidation, gestures, negative manipulation.

Harassment is prohibited under the Ontario Human Rights Code. If bullying becomes assault, it is a chargeable offense. School consequences can include:

suspension and/or expulsion
referral to the police for consideration of charges
removal of school privileges and other consequence

Formal class/school presentations are prepared by teacher advisor, students, and our school social worker
to share all of the above information with the Davis students.

Students are given guidance on how to deal with this type of behaviour, either as a victim or as a witness to this behaviour.

Regular class meetings are held in all classes to provide students with opportunities to raise issues or concerns and to find appropriate solutions.

Our school social worker provides individual support and guidance to students who are displaying harassment/bullying behaviour
as well as to the victims of this behaviour.

Specific programs, activities, and articles which focus on recognizing and deterring harassment/bullying behaviour
are shared through our monthly newsletters.

The following includes the strategies we encourage our students to use when faced with harassment/bullying behaviour:

Student exhibiting bullying behaviour should:
- Stop
- Seek help to understand and change behaviour
- Apologize to victim

Student recipient of bullying behaviour should:
- Share with trusted individual,
- Report (confidentially) to an adult immediately
- Seek support from classroom/supervising teacher, administration or any adult

Student who witnesses bullying behaviour should:
- Know that saying nothing may appear that they are supporting or agreeing
- Support victim by refusing to participate
- Report (confidentially) to an adult immediately

A young child may not know the word “bully” but he/she knows when someone is being mean, hurting the child or making them feel sad or scared. There are signs that the child is being bullied, even if he/she doesn’t talk about. They may not tell you because they may be worried that they will make things worse if they tell someone. Instead of waiting to be told, you can watch for signs that the child is being bullied-signs such as changes in behaviour, in attitude, or in appearance. Children who are being bullied may not want to go to school or may cry or feel sick on school days. They may not want to take part in activities or social events with other students. They might suddenly begin to lose money or personal items, or come home with torn clothes or broken possessions, and offer explanations that don’t make sense.

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.

Should a student use e-mail or create a web site which makes negative or inappropriate comments which impact or affect the school community
it may carry consequences from the school. Depending on the nature of the infraction, school consequences may include:

suspension and possibly exclusion from school
report to the police
other consequences as determined by administration

NB. Inappropriate use of the Internet does not have to be at school or on school time. These types of behaviours, in any environment (home or other) are unacceptable or illegal and may be consequenced as defined by the Safe Schools Act.