Breaking up Bully Gangs
- Meet with victim or victims separately - have them write down what
happened
- Meet with each member of the gang separately - have them write down
what happened
- Agree with each member of the gang separately what you expect and
discuss how he/she has broken the school guidelines
- Meet with gang as a group and have each state what happened in your
individual meeting; ensure that everyone is clear about what happened
- Prepare them to face their peer group - "What are you going
to say when you leave here?"
- Decide about setting up 'bully courts'. This will depend upon what
has been agreed with parents and governors. For details about 'bully
courts', contact Kidscape
- Whatever is decided, reiterate to all students that they are all
responsible if anyone is being bullied - there are no innocent bystanders
- Talk to parents of all involved - show them written statements
- Keep a file on bullying with all statements and penalties
- Teach victims strategies (as in Kidscape lessons)
- Do not accept false excuses - if the bullying was an accident, did
the children act by helping the victim or getting help or giving sympathy?
If it was just a laugh, was everyone laughing? If it was a game, was
everyone enjoying it?
- If a child is injured, take photographs of the
injury, but check with the parents first.
- If gangs of bullies from outside your school appear, take photographs
- they tend to run when they see the camera
- If there is serious injury, contact the police.