Bullying a part of child abuse prevention Published April 22, 2011 By 1st Lt. Charlie Holt 60th Medical Operations Squadron family advocacy program TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE,Calif. -- April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect. The staff of David Grant USAF Medical Center's family advocacy program will take time to address a concern, which has gained significant media attention in the recent past: bullying. Bullying is a form of peer-to-peer abuse that may take different forms. Physical bullying includes not just hitting, but pushing, shoving, poking or pulling. Verbal bullying can be any statement made with the purpose of hurting or humiliating another person. Verbal bullying is not only limited to face-to-face interactions, it can occur via the internet in the phenomenon we recognize as cyber-bullying. The Anti-Defamation League provides a general definition, which states that bullying occurs when a person or group has power over another person and abuses that power. In most situations, the target of the bullying is either unable or cannot stop the bullying by his own actions. For school age children, one out of every four students is bullied. The organization Fight Crime: Invest in Kids reports one in three teens and one in six pre-teens have been the victims of cyber-bullying. What is recommended when someone is being bullied? An initial deterrent is to establish clear rules and expectations in homes and schools about how bullying behaviors will not be tolerated. Letting an adult know when bullying is occurring is not "tattling;" in fact, someone who is a bystander to bullying and chooses to do nothing about it is part of the problem. For those who are being bullied, being told to "ignore it" or pretend they're not being bothered ("Sticks and stones ...") are not effective ways to counteract bullying. What also seems to help is empowering victims and bystanders to feel comfortable coming to adults to disclose when bullying has occurred. "Reinforce to your child that it is okay to tell an adult," said Latrise Muchison, Family Advocacy outreach manager. "All adults involved at home, school or at other environments in the community must be willing to come to a consensus to address the problem of bullying. Bullies, victims, and bystanders must all know that any adults involved will be concerned and consistent across the board." Adults involved, such as parents or teachers, should use consistent consequences, which escalate with repeated aggression, said Ms. Muchison "For instance, separate the bully and use as a consequence the loss of unstructured social time which can take place during breaks or lunch," said she said. For cyber-bullying, teachers, parents and adult mentors can provide education by having students engage in role-plays with discussions of ways to deter online harassment. Working with children to explore ways online messages can be used for hurtful means is one option. Students can also be encouraged to consider ways the internet can make others feel good and be used for positive means. A multitude of resources exist online and in the community for adults and children who wish to be better safeguards against bullying. Resources and activities which provide education to children about bullying should be tailored to meet specific ages and developmental stages. Parents and teachers can work to establish clear boundaries and they can best be applied by being consistent and maintaining a supportive environment. Throughout the month of April, Family Advocacy will have information tables at DGMC, the Airman and Family Readiness Center and the Youth Center. For more information, contact DGMC's Family Advocacy program at 423-5168.