Describe bullying response
9b.
Describe bullying; tell what the appropriate response is to someone who is bullying you or another person.
Bullying contradicts the core values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law—especially the promises to be Friendly, Courteous, Kind, and Brave. Second Class Requirement 9b asks you to understand what bullying is, recognize its various forms, and know how to respond effectively whether it happens to you or to someone else.
What Is Bullying?
Bullying is defined as unwanted, aggressive behavior among peers that involves a real or perceived power imbalance (such as differences in physical size, age, social status, or numbers) and is repeated over time (or has the high potential to be repeated).
The Four Major Forms of Bullying
- Physical Bullying: Hitting, kicking, pushing, tripping, pinching, spitting, blocking someone’s path, or intentionally damaging and stealing property.
- Verbal Bullying: Name-calling, hurtful teasing, insults, derogatory or discriminatory remarks, taunting, and verbal threats of harm.
- Social and Relational Bullying: Intentionally excluding someone from a group, lunch table, or game; spreading malicious rumors; telling others not to be friends with someone; or publicly humiliating a peer.
- Cyberbullying: Using digital devices, text messaging, gaming chats, or social media platforms to send cruel messages, post rumors, share private or embarrassing photos/videos without permission, or create fake profiles to harass someone.
How to Respond If You Are Being Bullied
- Stay Calm and Do Not Retaliate: Bullies look for an angry, fearful, or emotional reaction. Fighting back physically or shouting insults often escalates the conflict and puts you at risk of discipline.
- Speak Firmly and Assertively: Look the bully in the eye and state in a clear, direct voice: “Stop doing that. It is not okay,” or “Leave me alone.”
- Walk Away Immediately: Disengage and walk toward a safe, populated area with adults or supportive friends.
- Online / Cyberbullying Response:
- Do Not Respond: Never reply to hateful online comments or texts.
- Save the Evidence: Take screenshots of threatening messages, comments, or posts with dates and usernames.
- Block and Report: Block the bully’s account and report the harassment to the platform administrator.
- Report to a Trusted Adult: Tell a parent, teacher, school counselor, or Scoutmaster right away.
Being an “Upstander,” Not a Passive Bystander
When you witness someone else being bullied, having the courage to act is a direct demonstration of the tenth point of the Scout Law: A Scout is Brave.
- Do Not Join In: Never laugh, cheer, or forward mean posts or videos. Passive laughter rewards the bully’s behavior.
- Support the Target: If it is safe, speak up: “Hey, that’s uncalled for—leave them alone.” Or walk up to the target and invite them to leave with you: “Come on, let’s go over here.”
- Comfort the Victim: Check in on the person in private: “I saw what happened. That was wrong, and I’m on your side.”
- Report the Incident: Tell an adult authority immediately. Reporting bullying is not “snitching”—it is protecting a fellow human being from harm.