Helping Victims of Bullying

If your child comes to you about a bullying situation, be prepared to listen without judgement. Provide a safe and supportive space in which your child can share their experience and work out their feelings. Respond with empathy, concern, and care. It is important to learn as much as possible about the situation, such as how long the behavior has been happening, who has been involved, and what steps have been taken. Bullying can be traumatic and opening up may take your child some time. Be patient and allow your child to confide in you on their own terms.

Reassure your child that you are happy they are talking about their experience. Take steps that focus on your child’s emotional and physical health.

• Remind your child that they are NOT alone and that it is NOT their fault
• Explain that it is your responsibility as an adult to help them and ensure they feel safe
• Let your child know that they deserve respect just like everyone else
• Assure your child that they have a right to feel safe at school and at home

After listening to your child tell you about of their experience, encourage them to communicate what they need and then help them get what they need. Encourage self-advocacy by working together to create an action plan outlining a strategy and response to the bullying. Talk with your child about how they would like the situation to be different and how to make that happen. Involving your child in the solution can be powerful, and can build their confidence and resilience.

It is important to identify others who can help your child. When a child is being bullied, it can impact their education, emotional well-being, and even physical health. Involve others such as teachers and school staff, a trusted physician or counselor, a coach, or the leader of a club activity. Work with your child to identify who to contact, what you want to ask them, and how you will be involved moving forward. Make sure you share your child’s action plan with the other adults involved.

It is important to have knowledge of your child’s rights regarding bullying situations.

• Document all events and communication. Written records provide a history. Keep your writing factual, not emotional, and include background on any steps you plan to take or have already implemented. Save all written correspondence (emails, texts, social media posts)
• Be aware of Florida’s legislation on bullying. Each state has different laws and policies pertaining to bullying, along with requirements for how schools respond
• Contact your child’s school and request a copy of the district’s bullying policy