According to the New York Times, New Jersey recently passed a law making it possible for victims of bullying to anonymously report their incidences to a Crimestoppers hotline.
In addition to the hotline, every school in New Jersey must implement anti-bullying specialist within schools to investigate each bullying claim, making schools legally responsible to report bullying incidences.
Districts are also spending up to $3000 on anti-bullying training for teachers, coaches, custodians, staff, and cafeteria workers that includes training sessions, a DVD, and a 100-page manual.
In one district, every kid “will spend six class periods learning, among other things, the differences between telling and tattling.”
While all of this is a great start to intervention services and allowing victims of bullying to seek help, my question is, how does any of this really prevent bullying in the first place? Teaching a child what the difference is between tattling on someone and reporting bullying isn’t stopping the problem; in fact, it might worsen it.
The article also states that “students will be told that there is no such thing as an innocent bystander when it comes to bullying: if they see it, they have a responsibility to try to stop it.” What happens then when intervening puts that innocent bystander in danger?
Bullying is no doubt a huge problem in schools nationwide. However, simply telling kids that bullying is bad and they must intervene, as well as making teachers and staff read a 100-page manual on bullying isn’t going to stop the problem at its core. Primary prevention 101: What are the root causes of bullying? Similar to the root causes of violence, identifying the root causes of bullying might look something like addressing stereotypes, gender norms, racism, and homophobia, just to name a few.
Instead of telling kids that bullying is bad, empower students to make healthy choices and challenge them to think outside the norms that our society has set forth that support a culture of bullying and violence. Give children concrete ways to intervene if they see bullying first-hand, but also talk about how intervening might not always be safe. Let them know that there are other options besides personal intervention.
I applaud New Jersey for taking the first steps to put a stop to bullying. However, prevention efforts that address bullying at its roots are needed to see any sort of change in student’s behaviors.
-Brooke Hileman
Structured Education Coordinator
Hope Alliance
