Bullying

Bullying is not the same as joking around or teasing. In a bullying situation, there is an imbalance of power, from one person constantly and repeatedly putting down another person. Bullying is common across schools and grades, and it can happen anywhere. Bullying can be very harmful to the person that is the target of that treatment, and negatively impact the school culture. People want to use their power to isolate someone, cyber bully, control, or harm others, and make threats. The people impacted by bullying are the bully, the victim, and bystanders. Restorative practices or restorative justice can help bring empathy and resolution to the bullying that has happened. This type of communication, called a dialogue, can help bring healing and closure to the person being bullied, and help the school environment feel safer and more peaceful. Dialogue is guided by a trained facilitator and involves 4 steps: introduction, exchange of ideas, brainstorming solutions, and summary. Including the Individuals who can make a difference to ending the bullying is important so that bullying does not happen again.
The Domestic Harmonizer Program (DHP) is created by The Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI). Rooted in restorative practices the DHP works with students and teachers and parents to build a deep understanding of conflict resolution education (CRE). By helping to create peaceful opportunities for exchange and learning, schools can reduce incidents of destructive conflict on campus. To learn more about the DHP, visit our Virtual Center: www.domesticharmonizer.org. To learn more about WPDI, visit: www.wpdi.org
#restorative justice, #sources of conflict, #repairing the harm, #bullying, #restorative practices, #schools, #community