Just The Facts: Break the Bullying Cycle
Roles in the Bullying Cycle
The Bully
Someone who uses their power to hurt another emotionally or physically.
The Target
A person attacked by the Bully.
The Bystanders
They’re witnesses to the bullying or know it is occurring. Within school settings, this could be a student, teacher or school staff.
In some situations, bystanders may take a role of a bully or target.
For this reason, labeling behavior rather than people enables a more productive and beneficial conversation with students, staff, and persons in parental relationships about what it means to treat others with dignity and respect.
In extremely unsafe, threatening, stressful environments, a person can be in a constant FIGHT, FLIGHT, Or FREEZE response mode where everyone becomes an enemy.
Fight, Flight or Freeze mode according to Neuroscience, the study of the brain, is our automatic response to threat. However, these reactions are not usually helpful because it impedes our ability to problem-solve, plan, make decisions, use language, organize, and regulate our mood.
School Climate is defined as the quality and character of school life. It can be examined by studying how we feel about being in school and how it directly impacts student learning and development.
The Upstanders
When Bystanders begin to show disapproval and support the target, or work towards a safe, positive school climate, their act breaks the bullying cycle. They become an active, empathetic bystander known as the Upstander.
