Promoting Safe and Supportive Environments
Anti-Bullying
Information
Understanding bullying is the first step to stopping it. Learn how to recognize the signs, respond in the moment, and help build safer schools and communities for every child.
Stop Bullying on the Spot
When adults step in quickly and consistently, bullying loses its power. A calm, immediate response sends a clear message that the behavior won't be tolerated — and research shows this can reduce bullying over time. Parents, school staff, and community members all play a part by talking openly about bullying, building safe environments, and working together on prevention.
What Is Bullying?
Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among young people that involves a real or perceived imbalance of power, such as physical strength, popularity, or access to embarrassing information, used to control or harm someone else. To be considered bullying, the behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time.
In Ohio, this is defined in law as harassment, intimidation, or bullying (HIB): an intentional written, verbal, electronic, or physical act directed at a student more than once that causes harm and is severe, persistent, or pervasive enough to create an intimidating, threatening, or abusive school environment. Under Ohio Revised Code 3313.666, every public school district must adopt a policy prohibiting it and provide a way to report incidents. The state also designates September as School Bullying Prevention Awareness Month.
Types of Bullying
Verbal
Saying or writing hurtful things — name-calling, teasing, taunting, or making threats.
Social
Harming someone's reputation or relationships — leaving them out on purpose, spreading rumors, or public embarrassment.
Physical
Hurting a person's body or possessions — hitting, tripping, pushing, or taking and breaking their things.
Cyberbullying
Bullying through digital devices — hurtful texts and posts, fake accounts, or sharing private content. It can happen any hour and spread fast.
There's no single program that ends bullying. What makes the biggest difference is adults who stay involved, model kindness, and respond consistently every time it happens.
- from StopBullying.gov, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Warning Signs a Child May Be Bullied
Children don't always tell an adult when they're being bullied. Watch for changes such as:
- Unexplained injuries, or lost or damaged belongings
- Changes in eating habits or trouble sleeping
- Losing friends or avoiding social situations
- Frequent headaches or stomachaches, or faking illness to avoid school
- Declining grades or sudden loss of interest in school
- Feeling helpless, or lowered self-esteem
How Adults Can Respond
When you see bullying happening, step in. Here's how to handle the moment:
- Step in right away - Intervene immediately. It's fine to call on another adult to help if you need to.
- Make sure everyone is safe - Separate the children involved and check that no one is hurt. Stay calm and reassuring.
- Model respectful behavior - Your calm, measured response shows kids how to treat one another, even under stress.
- Don't sort it out on the spot - Avoid forcing an apology or asking kids to "work it out" in the heat of the moment. Talk with them separately once everyone has calmed down.
- Follow up and support - Check in with the child who was bullied, remind them it isn't their fault, and connect them with help if they need it.
If a child ever talks about self-harm or suicide, take it seriously and get help right away. Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential support, any time.
Where to Get Help
These organizations offer trusted information, reporting tools, and support for families and schools:
StopBullying.gov
The federal hub explaining what bullying and cyberbullying are, who is at risk, and how to prevent and respond to it.
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce
Ohio's anti-harassment, intimidation, and bullying resources, including the model policy schools use and guidance for parents.
Standing Up Against Bullying
This short video highlights how friendship, inclusion, and peer support can help prevent bullying and create a safer environment for everyone.