Let’s Prevent Harassment, Bullying and Violence

Age: 13 years and above

Download – Let’s Prevent Harassment, Bullying and Violence

Duration: 20 minutes

Information: Bakteen

Main Objective:
To create a safe, respectful school environment free from harassment and bullying.

What will we talk about in this lesson?

In this lesson, students will learn what harassment, bullying and violence are, how to identify them, and how to respond safely when such an incident occurs.

The lesson covers not only physical bullying, but also verbal harassment, social exclusion, sexual harassment and cyberbullying. It also emphasizes that being bullied is not the child’s fault and that telling someone about bullying is not “telling tales” Or “snitching.”

Learning Objectives

• Identify harassment and bullying.
• Learn about different forms of harassment and bullying.
• Understand the difference between a joke and bullying.
• Know how to respond safely if they or a friend experiences bullying.
• Understand the importance of seeking help from a trusted adult.

Let’s Prepare Before the Lesson

Read the Bakteens article and complete its Quiz. Find out who students can report bullying to within the school and what procedure should be followed.

Do not ask children to disclose their personal experiences in front of the class. It is important to be familiar with the child protection procedures that should be followed if a child discloses an experience of bullying or violence during the lesson.

Materials needed:
The Bakteens article, either displayed on a screen or printed; small cards or pieces of paper; a board and pens.

Key Words

• Harassment
• Bullying
• Violence
• Cyberbullying
• Sexual harassment
• Trusted adult
• Reporting

For Teachers

When bullying occurs, power is used to cause someone fear, pain or humiliation. This power does not only come from physical strength. Age, position within the school, popularity, a group of friends, or personal information can also be used as forms of power.

Bullying can happen repeatedly. However, a serious physical assault, sexual harassment, threat, or sharing of a private photograph without permission requires immediate help even if it happens only once.

Although the reasons behind bullying can be discussed, no reason can justify bullying.

Let’s Start a Conversation – 2 minutes

Write the following on the board:

“A good joke makes everyone laugh.”

Ask the students:

• When does a joke become bullying?
• If someone says “no” but the behavior continues, is it still a joke?

Ask for two or three responses from the students. Then explain:

“If someone is hurt, feels afraid or embarrassed, or if something continues even after they say ‘no’, it is not simply a normal joke.”

Let’s Identify Different Forms of Bullying – 5 minutes

Divide the students into small groups. Give each group cards or pieces of paper.

Ask them to write down different forms of bullying they know. Write their answers on the board under the following categories:

• Physical bullying
• Verbal bullying
• Emotional or social bullying
• Sexual harassment
• Cyberbullying

If necessary, provide the following examples:

• Hitting, pushing or damaging someone’s property
• Calling someone names or making jokes about their body
• Spreading rumors or excluding someone from a group
• Touching someone’s body in an unwanted way or making sexual comments
• Sharing insulting messages, photographs or videos
• Creating a fake account

At the end, ask:

“Is bullying only about physical violence?”

True or False? – 4 minutes

Read each statement aloud and ask the students:

“Is this true or a misconception? Why?”

“If someone gets hurt because of a joke, we don’t need to take it seriously.”

Misconception. If a joke causes someone to feel afraid, embarrassed or hurt, it can become bullying.

“Telling a teacher about bullying is snitching.”

Misconception. Reporting bullying is a step taken to get help, ensure safety and stop the behaviour.

“If you see someone being bullied, it is better to stay quiet and not get involved.”

Misconception. If it is safe to do so, support the friend experiencing bullying and tell a trusted adult.

“If bullying happens online, it is important to safely keep screenshots and messages.”

True. They may be needed as evidence when reporting the incident. However, do not share them again on social media.

At the end, explain:

“Being bullied is not your fault. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness.”

Let’s Read the Bakteens Article – 3 minutes

Show the following sections of the article:

• What are harassment and bullying?
• Is it really just a joke?
• What should you do if someone is bullying you?
• What should you do if you see a friend being bullied?

Read a section of the article and then ask:

“What are some safe things we can do if we see a friend being bullied?”

If necessary, guide students towards the following answer:

“Go with the friend to a safe place, listen to what they have to say, and inform a trusted adult.”

Now Let’s Do the Quiz – 4 minutes

Select questions relevant to this lesson from the Quiz in the Bakteens article and complete them as a class.

After each answer, ask:

“Why did you choose that answer?”

Then ask two short verbal questions:

Can it be bullying if someone continues a joke even after the other person says “no”?

Answer: Yes.

Who can you tell if you experience bullying?

Answers: A parent, guardian, trusted teacher, school counsellor, section head or principal.

Final Message – 2 minutes

Ask the students:

“What is one thing you can do to make our classroom a safe place free from bullying?”

Listen to several responses and conclude with:

“Bullying is not only about hitting someone. It can also happen through words, threats, exclusion, unwanted touching and online activities. Being bullied is not your fault. You do not have to deal with it alone. Tell a trusted adult and keep asking for help until you receive the support you need.”

A Small Reminder for Teachers

Question → Group activity → Discuss misconceptions → Article → Quiz

Do not label a child who bullies others as a “bad child.” Explain that the behaviour is harmful and that they are responsible for stopping it and taking responsibility for their actions.

If a child discloses an experience of bullying:

• Listen calmly.
• Tell them that you believe them.
• Tell them that it was right to speak up.
• Remind them that it is not their fault.
• Ensure the child’s safety.
• Follow the school’s child protection procedures.
• Explain that information may need to be shared with the person responsible for protecting the child.

After the lesson, you can organize a poster competition, class pledge or school awareness campaign under the theme “A School Free from Bullying.” Do not use real incidents, children’s names or photographs for these activities.

Let’s Create a Safe Classroom

• Agree that students will not make fun of each other’s opinions or experiences.
• Do not pressure children to share personal experiences in front of the class.
• If a student gives an incorrect answer, provide the correct information without embarrassing them.
• Do not blame a child who has experienced bullying by saying, “You must have done something too.”
• Do not make the child who bullied and the child who was bullied face each other in front of the class to discuss the incident.
• If you become aware of a serious physical assault, sexual harassment, threat, or sharing of a private photograph, immediately activate the relevant child protection procedures.