Page 4 - Professsional Advisory: Responding to the Bullying of Students

Bullying Defined
Experts describe bullying as intentionally aggressive or unwelcome behaviour that
is typically repeated over time and makes others feel uncomfortable, frightened, hurt,
or humiliated. Bullying occurs where there is a real or perceived power imbalance between those involved. Whether direct or indirect, the behaviour and its effects are often intensified by the passive or active encouragement of others.
With the 2012 passage of the Accepting Schools Act, the government introduced the following definition of bullying by amendment into the Education Act to ensure that all schools in Ontario are safe, inclusive, and accepting of all students:
“bullying means aggressive and typically repeated behaviour by a pupil where,
a. thebehaviourisintendedbythepupilto have the effect of, or the pupil ought to know that the behaviour would be likely to have the effect of,
i. causing harm, fear or distress
to another individual, including physical, psychological, social
or academic harm, harm to the individual’s reputation or harm to the individual’s property, or
ii. creating a negative environment at a school for another individual, and
b. the behaviour occurs in a context where there is a real or perceived power imbalance between the pupil and the individual based on factors such as
size, strength, age, intelligence, peer group power, economic status, social status, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, family circumstances, gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, disability or the receipt of special education; (“intimidation”)”
The Education Act also now defines bullying by electronic means (commonly known as cyber- bullying). This includes:
a. creatingawebpageorabloginwhich the creator assumes the identity of another person;
b. impersonatinganotherpersonasthe author of content or messages posted on the internet; and
c. communicating material electronically to more than one individual or posting material on a website that may be accessed by one or more individuals.
Bullying may require police involvement depending on the nature and extent of the activity. Criminal offences such as harassment, intimidation, mischief, identity fraud, and distribution of intimate images may be tied to instances of bullying or cyberbullying.
Bullying is deeply damaging to students,
the learning environment, and the larger community, yet incidents, particularly online, often occur away from school or beyond a member’s view. Bullying resonates. It affects students wherever they are and can create lasting, negative effects on them, their families, their environments and their ability to succeed in school.
2 PROFESSIONAL ADVISORY: RESPONDING TO THE BULLYING OF STUDENTS