TORONTO, Nov. 17, 2014 − York University professor Debra Pepler, and Queen’s University professor Wendy Craig, co-scientific directors of the Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Network (PREVNet), are unveiling a new toolkit for educators in conjunction with Bullying Awareness Week, Nov. 17-23.
Drs. Pepler and Craig and PREVNet worked with the Ministry of Education to create the new resource, Facts and Tools for Schools, which includes over 100 pages of information to support ongoing bullying prevention at Ontario schools. The tools are designed to provide evidence-based strategies to recognize, assess, prevent, intervene and develop a bully prevention policy in Ontario schools.
One highlight of the resource is a fact sheet defining bullying. It outlines what bullying is, what the various forms of bullying are, the difference between bullying, aggression and teasing, and how educators can identify these three areas. There is also an emphasis on a whole school approach to promoting healthy relationships.
“Although we have strong bullying prevention legislation in Ontario, there are still some school staff who are not certain about how to protect and support a victimized student or how to help a bullying student learn to use power positively rather than negatively,” says Pepler, Distinguished Research Professor of Psychology at York University. “We are hoping that these tools will provide both a broad understanding of the complexities of bullying and specific supports to work face-to-face with the students involved.”
The theme of this year’s awareness week is Stand Up To Bullying.
To read more about Facts and Tools for Schools visit the website. To view information about policy and regulations on bullying in provinces and territories across Canada, click here.
York University is helping to shape the global thinkers and thinking that will define tomorrow. York U’s unwavering commitment to excellence reflects a rich diversity of perspectives and a strong sense of social responsibility that sets us apart. A York U degree empowers graduates to thrive in the world and achieve their life goals through a rigorous academic foundation balanced by real-world experiential education. As a globally recognized research centre, York U is fully engaged in the critical discussions that lead to innovative solutions to the most pressing local and global social challenges. York U’s 11 faculties and 28 research centres are thinking bigger, broader and more globally, partnering with 288 leading universities worldwide. York U's community is strong − 55,000 students, 7,000 faculty and staff, and more than 275,000 alumni.
Media Contact:
Janice Walls, York University Media Relations, 416 736 2100 ext. 22101, wallsj@yorku.ca
