Five Important Safety Rules For National Stop Bullying Month

Rolling Prairie, IN, October 2, 2014 (Newswire.com) - October is National Stop Bullying Month and the third full week of October (this year, Oct. 12-18) is National Bullying Bystanders Unite Week. This week is a time to educate youth on how to safely come to the aid of someone being bullied. The campaign was created in 2010 by the international bullying prevention nonprofit organization Hey U.G.L.Y. – Unique Gifted Lovable You in honor of an eleven-year-old boy who was brutally bullied while 20 of his classmates stood by and did nothing to help. 

At least 85 percent of students at a school are bystanders to bullying who, if informed, can be part of the solution to bullying. The reason most bystanders don’t intercede in bullying situations or report them to authorities is because they think stepping in will make them a target for the bully. They also believe reporting a bully is snitching which is why it is imperative people know that most police departments and school administration have hot lines in place where people can report anonymously.

October is National Stop Bullying Month and time to educate youth on how to safely come to the aid of someone being bullied.

Kathy Gue, Hey U.G.L.Y.

How do you stay safe while interceding in a bullying situation? Hey U.G.L.Y. worked with the Michigan City, IN police department and created the following rules safety rules: 

IF YOU WITNESS PHYSICAL BULLYING

Rule #1:  If you see ONE bully physically hurting someone and you are alone go to a safe place and call 911 then find an adult and ask them to help out.

Rule #2:  If you see ONE bully physically hurting someone and you are with at least four friends have one immediately call 911. Have another quickly find an adult while the remaining two go to a safe place where they can witness the bullying but not be seen by the bully. If possible, use your cell phone to record the incident. Give the video footage to a trusted adult. DO NOT POST IT ON THE INTERNET.

IF YOU SEE VERBAL/EMOTIONAL BULLYING

Rule #3:  If you are alone, walk over to the person being bullied and tell them you need their help to do something. Then take them away from the bully as calmly, but quickly as you can. Go to the principal's office and tell him/her what you saw. 

Rule #4:  If you are in a group, form a circle around the person being bullied and tell them you want to hang out with them. Then get them away from the bully. Take them to a trusted adult and report what you saw.

SCHOOL DANGER ALERT

Rule #5:  If you hear someone talking about doing harm to anyone at your school or bringing a weapon to school immediately report it to your principal or school counselor. If you want to be anonymous let them know and also tell your parents. You could be saving lives!

According to Michigan City, Indiana Police Chief, Mark Swistek, "be careful not to enter into the struggle unless you can be assisted by others. Be the best witness you can be by observing or recording the occurrence and other necessary information. This rule also applies to adults. If you're unsure of your abilities or cannot be assisted by others, we encourage witnesses to immediately call 911 and stand by to provide us with the information related to the incident. You can also report anonymously." 

These rules can also be found on www.BullyingBystandersUnite.org along with a free pledge drive that says:  I pledge to help any youth who is being bullied by following the Bullying Bystanders safety rules. I further pledge to encourage my friends to take this pledge and help them understand that IF SNITCHING COULD SAVE A LIFE THEN WE SHOULD SNITCH because reporting a bullying situation is taking a stand against bullying. If it were me being bullied I'd want bystanders to report what they saw because authorities' hands are tied without witnesses. I further pledge to not bully others and not bully myself with negative self-messages. Each pledge helps our brutally bullied youth know that his suffering was not in vain. 

About Hey U.G.L.Y.

Hey U.G.L.Y. is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth to be part of the solution to bullying, substance abuse and youth suicide through their self-esteem and empathy-building programs, radio show, assembly presentations, and curriculum.