Addressing Bullying in Our School Communities: Resources and Support for Families and Educators
- Dr. Juliana Negreiros
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Bullying is not just a part of growing up; it's a serious relationship problem that can lead to long-term consequences for young people's mental, physical, and social well-being. In recent years, research has made it clear that bullying affects a large number of children and youth in Canada, and we all have a role to play in creating safe, inclusive spaces where kids can thrive.
Whether you're a parent, teacher, coach, or caregiver, you may be wondering how best to recognize bullying, respond when it happens, and prevent it from occurring in the first place.
Over the past several months, I’ve had the opportunity to support many young people who have experienced bullying. In this blog, I’ll share some of the key insights and lessons I’ve learned along the way, in the hopes that they might guide others working to support children through similar challenges.
What Does the Research Tell Us About Bullying in Canada?
Bullying is harmful and far-reaching. Young people who are bullied are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and health problems like headaches and stomach aches. Long after the bullying stops, many children continue to carry the emotional impact into adulthood (Pepler & Craig, PREVNet, 2024).
Bullying thrives in unsupervised areas. Bullying is more likely to occur in unsupervised areas of the school, such as hallways, playgrounds, cafeterias, and washrooms. Without the presence of adults, children may feel emboldened to engage in aggressive or harmful behaviours, and victims are less likely to receive immediate support or intervention (Craig, Pepler, & Atlas, 2000; Olweus, 1993).
Bullying doesn’t stop on its own. Without intervention, children and teens who bully are likely to continue this behaviour as they grow up, potentially leading to more serious forms of aggression, including dating violence, workplace harassment, and abuse in adult relationships.
Bullying affects everyone. In any given classroom of 35 students, up to 13 may be involved in bullying, either as targets, aggressors, or witnesses. When bystanders step in, the bullying often stops within seconds, but many students don’t know how to safely intervene or may fear making things worse.
Fighting back isn’t the answer. Contrary to the old advice of “just fight back,” research shows that aggressive responses tend to escalate bullying. Instead, teaching children and teens assertive communication and how to seek adult support is much more effective (PREVNet, 2024). For example:
If a peer repeatedly teases or mocks a student, children can use a calm, firm voice and say, “I don’t like that. Please stop,” or teens may say, “That’s not cool, can you not?” or “I’m not okay with that.” Then they walk away without feeding the attention.
If a rumour is being spread, a student might say to the person involved, “I heard what you said. It’s not true, and I’d appreciate it if you stopped.” Then they can speak with a school staff member or counsellor for support in addressing the situation.
When excluded from play, a group project or a social hangout, a child might say, “That’s not fair, I’d like to join too.” If they are a teen, they can try, "Hey, I’d like to be part of this too. Can we figure something out?” Practicing tone and body language helps the message land without sounding aggressive or passive.
If someone makes inappropriate jokes or comments online, a teen can take a screenshot, report it to a trusted adult, and say (in person or text), “That wasn’t okay. I don’t want that kind of stuff sent to me again.”
In a group setting where a student feels cornered or ganged up on, they can stand tall, stay quiet, and walk away confidently, then debrief with someone they trust rather than reacting impulsively in the moment.
If a peer pressures them into doing something that feels wrong, a simple, assertive response might be: “No thanks. That’s not for me,” or“I’m not getting involved in that.”
Bullying is a human rights issue. According to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, all children have the right to be safe and treated with dignity. Adults have a responsibility to protect them from all forms of abuse, including peer-to-peer bullying (UNCRC, 1989).
What Can We Do?
Be proactive, not reactive. Talk with your children regularly about their social experiences. Ask open-ended questions like, “What happens at recess?” or “Have you seen kids helping each other lately?”
Build emotional skills. Help them practice empathy, emotion regulation, and problem-solving. These are key skills for managing conflict and navigating peer relationships.
Model respect and responsibility. Children and teens are always watching. When adults demonstrate respectful communication and step in when someone is mistreated, kids learn that everyone deserves to feel safe.
Teach them the difference between teasing, aggression, and bullying (PREVNet, 2024).
Support all roles in bullying. Whether a student is experiencing bullying, using bullying behaviours, or witnessing it, they need support. Bullying is a relationship issue, not just a behavioural one.
Involve the whole community. Effective bullying prevention requires partnerships among families, schools, and communities. Programs like WITS and Second Step work best when adults are aligned in their messaging and actions.
Below, you’ll find reliable resources and evidence-based tools designed to support your efforts in advocating for, addressing, and preventing bullying.
Trusted Resources and Programs
1. PREVNet (Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Network)
PREVNet is Canada’s national authority on bullying prevention. With over 130 researchers and 60 partner organizations, PREVNet offers evidence-based tools, publications, and strategies to help communities promote safe and healthy relationships.
Website: https://www.prevnet.ca/bullying
2. Teach Safe Schools
This user-friendly resource supports school staff in creating safe learning environments. It offers step-by-step guidance on preventing violence and promoting student well-being through a whole-school approach.
Website: https://www.teachsafeschools.org/
Evidence-Based School Programs
Second Step Bullying Prevention Program
This program helps students build empathy, regulate emotions, and assertively stand up for themselves and others. It’s widely used across North America and focuses on recognizing, reporting, and refusing bullying in respectful ways.
Learn more: https://www.secondstep.org/
WITS Program (Walk Away, Ignore, Talk it Out, Seek Help)
Designed for children in Kindergarten to Grade 6, WITS empowers kids to respond to conflict and bullying using simple, age-appropriate strategies. It also involves schools, families, and communities in the process.
Learn more: https://witsprogram.ca/
A Classic Read
Bullying at School: What We Know and What We Can Do by Dan Olweus. This influential book, grounded in decades of research, laid the groundwork for many of the anti-bullying programs still in use today. Olweus underscores the importance of a whole-school approach and highlights the vital role that consistent adult intervention plays in preventing and addressing bullying.
A Helpful Podcast
“My Kid is Being Bullied. What Should I Do?” with Dr. Lisa Damour. This episode explores the difference between conflict and bullying, when adults should step in, and how to support kids in a way that empowers them without making the situation worse.
Final Thoughts
Bullying is scary and preventable, but it takes all of us, parents, educators, coaches, and peers, to create environments where respect, safety, and inclusion are the norm. By staying informed and using evidence-based strategies, we can protect our children’s well-being and help them develop the healthy relationships they deserve.
About the author: Dr. Juliana Negreiros is a registered psychologist and the founder of Beacon Psychology Clinic. With over a decade of experience, she is dedicated to supporting children, youth, and their families in building strong relationships and navigating emotional and behavioural challenges. Dr. Juliana collaborates with parents and educators to create safe and nurturing environments where young people can thrive.
