Victims of bullying are generally the students who do not have a lot of self-confidence or many friends. These students are in serious need of support from the school staff and other students. How can we provide support to these students? There are a number of things educators can do to assure that victims of bullying have the support they need.
· Question victims in private. If you witness a student being bullied, it is not wise to intervene and immediately question them. Questioning the victim in front of the bully and bystanders will put the victim in an uncomfortable position. Because they are scared of the bully, they will probably deny there is a problem. Instead, diffuse the situation and speak to the victim in private at a later time. Doing this will assure a more honest response.
· Provide suggestions. Many times, victims of bullying just need a simple suggestion about how to eliminate the bullying. Some victims of bullying may have trouble thinking of solutions on their own. They need an adult to guide them towards some sort of solution. If a student admits to you that they are a victim of bullying, you should help them find a solution to their problem. First, you need to ask them what strategies they have already tried. Then, ask them what other solutions they feel may work to resolve the problem. Brainstorm together to find a suitable solution to the problem. Students will feel much better about themselves if they feel that they played an integral role in resolving their problem.
· Use a buddy system. Helping victims of bullying find support from other students may be just the thing they need. This is a win/win situation for everyone. Again, victims of bullying generally do not have many friends. This is one reason they are targets for bullies. Using the more popular and confident students at your school to befriend the isolated child is a great way to build self-confidence into these kids. Not only does this provide them with the support they need, but it also teaches the “buddy” valuable lessons about standing up for those who are less fortunate.
Supporting victims is a great way for educators to decrease incidents of bullying. Educators must use an array of strategies in order to support the victims. Some victims may need more support than others. A simple suggestion to one student may end the bullying, while other students may need your support for the entire school year. Either way, it is the responsibility of the educator to provide the support these students need.
