(NORFOLK COUNTY, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Norfolk County Detachment would like to take this opportunity to remind all Norfolk County residents about Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week.
Ontario has designated the week beginning on the third Sunday of November as Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week to help promote safe schools and a positive learning environment.
During Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week – November 17-23, 2013 – Ontario students, school staff and parents are encouraged to learn more about bullying and its effect on student learning and well-being.
Bullying is defined as a form of repeated, persistent and aggressive behaviour directed at an individual or individuals that is intended to cause (or should be known to cause) fear and distress and/or harm to another person’s body, feelings, self-esteem or reputation. Bullying occurs in a context where there is a real or perceived power imbalance.
Everyone is encouraged to use this opportunity to explain the different forms bullying can take. These include:
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 cellphones, e-mail, text messaging and social networking sites.
Bullying and harassment can have a serious and significant impact on learning, student safety and the school climate. The school climate is the sum of all personal relationships between all members of the school community. A positive climate exists when all members of the school community feel safe, comfortable and accepted. A positive school climate is essential for students to succeed in school.
“Bullying is a serious issue and we want everyone to empower themselves and their friends to be part of the solution to bullying. Students who take a proactive role in the prevention of bullying will not only make a difference in their school, but more importantly someone’s life,†comments Constable Ed Sanchuk, Norfolk County OPP.