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Anti-Bullying Resources
Know your rights and how to defend them
Read on to learn why these resources are paramount to protecting students.
First, some context.
On December 6th, 2021, the Florida Department of Education (DOE) removed countless anti-bullying resources from its site, including guidance on preventing bullying against LGBTQ+ youth.
These resources, which provide guidance on how to prevent bullying for educators and students alike, are paramount to the safety of all students, not just those in the LGBTQ+ community.
DOE Director of Communications Jared Ochs said the following in a statement confirming the removal:
“Unfortunately, the links we reviewed were to U.S. DOE webpages that had previously provided helpful guidance and information, but now are being used as platforms for advocacy.”
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One glaring question arises from this: What is so “unfortunate” about advocating for our most vulnerable youth?
We know exactly why the DOE finds this to be an issue.
Empowering educators, staff, and students with resources to create a learning environment that is safe for all students is directly at odds with the mission of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who has continuously eroded away protections for LGBTQ+ students by preventing transgender girls from participating in womens’ sports and limiting discussions of gender identity and sexual orientation in schools.
We believe in providing easily accessible resources for LGBTQ+ youth, both on and off-campus.
That’s why we’re fighting back. Below, you can find all of the anti-bullying resources previously provided on the FLDOE website. This will remain the top link until the DOE restores these resources on their own site in full.
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These resources were pulled from the Internet Archives' Wayback Machine, which maintains a record of almost every iteration of every website from the past two decades. These resources are exactly as they were displayed (aside from our own gorgeous fonts, of course) on the FLDOE website as of October 6th, 2021.
Bullying Prevention
Bullying in schools is of increasing focus for Florida schools, districts, and for the Florida Department of Education. Florida Statute 1006.147, also known as The Jeffrey Johnston Stand Up for All Students Act, requires school districts to adopt an official policy prohibiting bullying and harassment of students and staff on school grounds, at school-sponsored events, and through school computer networks.
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Bullying Resources for Educators | Bullying Resources for Parents | Bullying Resources for Youth
Bullying/Harassment Definition:
Systematically and chronically inflicting physical hurt or psychological distress on one or more students or employees that is severe or pervasive enough to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment; or unreasonably interfere with the individual’s school performance or participation.
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Bullying Law and Policy
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Key Policy Letters on Bullying from the U.S. Department of Education
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Discrimination and Harassment Based on Race, Religion, or National Origin (December 31, 2015)
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Bullying and Harassment of Students with Disabilities (October 21, 2014)
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Bullying and Harassment of Students with Disabilities (August 20, 2013) (PDF)
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Enclosure (PDF)​​
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Bullying and Harassment of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Students (June 14, 2011)
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Bullying and Federal Anti-discrimination Laws (October 26, 2010)
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Bullying Resources
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StopBullying.gov (Developed by the U.S. Health and Human Services, Education Department, Centers for Disease Control, and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
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Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN): Anti-Bullying Resources
Bullying Resources for Educators
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How can I create a bully-free school environment?
Adult intervention is one of the best defenses against bullying. Educators can first learn the warning signs as well as the myths of bullying, especially of social bullying, which research indicates is more difficult for adults to identify than other forms of bullying. Educators can intervene when they see bullying occur and can send a clear message that the school does not tolerate bullying. Some steps that schools can take to ensure a bully-free school environment include the following: (1) identify where and when bullying occurs; (2) train all school personnel to recognize bullying; (3) increase adult supervision at campus "hot spots"; (4) create an anti-bullying task force charged with educating students and staff; and (5) integrate anti-bullying materials into curriculum for discussion and role-play. Educators can use staff meetings, assemblies, parent conferences, and most importantly daily interactions with students to establish a culture of acceptance, tolerance and respect.
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Training Resources
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Creating a Safe and Respectful Environment in Our Nation's Classrooms. This training toolkit is made up of two modules to address bullying in classrooms. Specifically, it is designed to assist teachers in cultivating meaningful relationships with students while creating a positive climate in the classroom.
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Creating a Safe and Respectful Environment on Our Nation's School Buses. This training toolkit is made up of two modules to address bullying on school buses. Specifically, it is designed to assist school bus drivers in cultivating meaningful relationships with students while creating a positive climate on the bus.
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Bullying: A Module for Teachers (American Psychological Association)
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Bullying Prevention (National Association of School Psychologists)
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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School-Based Bullying Prevention - OJJDP Model Programs Guide
Bullying Resources for Parents
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How can I support my child if he or she is bullied at school?
Avoid blaming your child for the harassment. Think twice before giving advice - your child may have already tried the strategies you are going to suggest. Get as much information as you can. Talk with your child’s teacher, principal, or counselor and ask them to help your child be safe. Their intervention may include consequences for the bully, increased supervision, and helping your child make more friends if he or she is isolated. Ask your child what she has already tried to resolve the problem. Praise her for all the things she has tried. Give him permission to stop doing the things that haven't worked to stop the bullying. Encourage him to keep telling you and other adults. Help him to think about what has worked- or what might work. If your child is isolated, help her make connections through activities, hobbies, or clubs.
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Technology and Youth: Protecting your Child from Electronic Aggression (PDF) For bullying and harassment using social media (such as Facebook, MySpace, Tumblr and Formspring), parents can follow the social media site's "Help" link to report abuse or policy violations such as imposter accounts, bullying, hate speech, pornography, etc.
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Bullying Prevention (National Association of School Psychologists)
Bullying Resources for Youth
There is a good chance that you have experienced bullying yourself, or that you have been the bully yourself. Probably, you have seen someone else being bullied. Bullying can take the form of words or deeds. It can be done from electronic devices. It includes repeatedly calling someone names, or repeatedly excluding someone from the group, or physically harassing someone. If you feel like you are being mistreated or isolated and it is happening again and again, talk to an adult. Know there is help. If you find yourself bullying someone else, stop the behavior and make it right. Apologize. Focus on doing things differently from now on. Ask for help with your behavior. If you see someone being bullied, take a stand and support that person. If you feel safe, tell the person doing the bullying to stop. If you don't feel safe, walk away and try to bring the victim with you. Whether you are being bullied, being the bully, or seeing someone being bullied, know that there is help. Start by talking to an adult you can trust.
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Contact:
Office of Safe Schools
325 West Gaines Street, Room 1302
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400