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What Adults Can Do

Children who are bullied often feel that adults can or will help them, and when adults do step in, children fear that the interference will be ineffective or will even make the problem worse. Victims fear the cycle of bullying... if they tell an adult, the bullying may stop momentarily, but there is a real risk that the bully will retaliate later on.

Adults have a responsibility to step in when they see or suspect bullying, but how can we intervene in a sensitive, effective way, so that we don't put victims at greater risk? Is there a way to change the social environment and change the relationships between bullies, victims, and bystanders?

By creating a peaceful environment in your school or organization, you can begin to halt the cycle of bullying. Involve everyone - victims, bullies, staff, parents, faculty - in activities that create teamwork, build understanding, and stimulate problem-solving about bullying.

InterPlay programs are designed to involve people of all ages in dialogue and problem-solving. For more information about additional InterPlay services, including onsite workshops with trained InterPlay facilitators or training events that teach teams of youth and adults how to use InterPlay techniques to stop bullying, email InterPlay Director Katherine Burke or call 765-414-2050 today.

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