Visions Partners with Police to Combat Bullying

Our Independent Study and Home School Academies recently teamed up to host two bullying awareness events in Lodi and Sacramento. The mission of these events was to equip our students with constructive ways to deal with bullies and to make sure they don’t participate in this negative behavior themselves.

Each event was hosted by police officers who gave advice for dealing with bullying and cyberbullying. Here’s their top tips for avoiding bullies.

How to Spot a Bully
Bullies tend to exhibit the following behaviors:

• Teasing
• Threatening
• Spreading rumors
• Fighting

Typically bullies are lashing out because they can’t deal with their emotions or life circumstances. They may also participate in these behaviors to fit in with their friends and to feel powerful.

How to STOP a Bully
If you or a friend is being bullied, be courageous. Verbally stand up for yourself but avoid physical contact. Don’t feel powerless; everyone has value and a purpose in life. If you can’t deal with the situation yourself, get to a safe space and find an adult or person of authority to explain the situation to.

If the bullying persists no matter how you deal with it, contact your local police department. Call them using their non-emergency number or file a report online. This way the abuse is tracked. If the department is able, they may send an officer to speak with the bully.

Watch Out for Cyberbullying
Bullying can happen anywhere and anytime. To avoid cyberbullying, don’t share your passwords with other people and be cautious about what you post online. Sharing photos and personal information on social media like Instagram and Snapchat could be used against you.

Think Before You Act
Always think before you act. If you feel that you may have bullied someone in the past, apologize. Everyone involved will feel better after the situation has been resolved.