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National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center
A Federal resource for professionals, parents and youth working to prevent violence committed by and against young people.
- Tell the child or adolescent that you care and are concerned. Ask the child
to tell you what is going on and provide an opportunity for the child to talk
to you openly. Explain that telling is not tattling and that you need the
information in order to help. When the child begins to talk, respond in an
accepting and positive way. Make it clear that the bullying is not the child's
fault, and that telling you was the right thing to do.
- Gather a complete violence history from the child or adolescent that addresses
exposure to violence, safety issues, stressors in school, family, and community.
- Talk to the child's parents/caregivers about bullying and its seriousness.
Address any myths they might hold about bullying. Some parents may believe
that bullying is a normal part of childhood and that children are best left
to work it out among themselves. Some believe that fighting back is the best
way to stop bullying.
- Provide the child's parents with information about bullying and how to help
their child respond to bullying.
- Provide the child or adolescent with information on bullying.
- Encourage the child's school to implement a comprehensive violence prevention
plan that includes an anti-bullying component.
