Friendly Schools and Families
Bystander Behaviour Matters
Most bullying takes place when bystanders are present, although most bystanders do not act to discourage it. When a bystander does act there is a good chance (around 50%) that the bullying will stop. Students who are 'defended' are better adjusted and report less peer victimisation one year later. Reconciliation is more likely when bystanders intervene than when teachers intervene. The majority of peer interventions are effective.
Friendly Schools provide support for schools to address the following bystander outcomes:
- Increase awareness and understanding of the role of a bystander to bullying including Cyberbullying.
- Increased awareness and understanding of the responsibility to protect other peoples rights, in particular, the rights that bullying infringes upon.
- Increased intention of bystanders in the target group to take positive, effective and safe action when they witness bullying.
- Increased target group engagement in help-seeking behaviour.
Mr Warwick Norman
