Few circumstances are more frustrating COURAGE, for parents and family than when their child is the target of a bully. Nobody KNOWLEDGE, wishes his or her child to be bullied. You shouldn't have to put up with it, nor should INTEGRITY your child. Sometimes it's difficult to spot because your son or daughter keeps it hidden from you but their distress is total. Bullying can be physical, verbal, racial, emotional or sexual. It happens at any age from nursery school through college, and may even continue in the work place. You must stop it early. Bullying can result in depression, low self-esteem, shyness, poor academic achievement and isolation. In the worst possible cases, a threatened or attempted suicide may occur. Your child's quality of life should not be subject to the whim or brutality of another.

City of Port St. Lucie Police Department John A. Bolduc, Chief of Police

121 S.W. Port St. Lucie Blvd. RESOURCES Port St. Lucie, FL 34984 Phone: (772) 871-5000 PORT ST. LUCIE POLICE DEPARTMENT TDD Phone: (772) 871-5029 www.cityofpsl.com/police

STATE OF FLORIDA www.cityofpsl.com/police www.myflorida.com

FLORIDA DEPT. OF EDUCATION www.fldoe.org/safeschools/bullying.asp

U.S. DEPT. OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES http://www.hrsa.gov

CYBERBULLYING RESEARCH CENTER www.cyberbullying.us WORKING TOGETHER FOR A SAFER COMMUNITY

Possible Signs Of Bullying Cyber Bullying How You Can Help Your Child If you have any concern, ask your child Cyber bullying is defined as the use of the internet, Children may be frightened of walking to directly. Bullied children are often cell phones or other electronic devices to send or or from school, change their usual route, embarrassed or frightened to tell what is post messages and images with the intent to hurt, not want to go on the happening to them so be prepared for embarrass or harass another person. school bus, beg you your child to deny anything wrong is to drive them to Kids report being mean to each occurring. school, be unwilling other online as early as the 2nd Take what your child says seriously. to go out to play, feel grade. According to research, Explain that you are concerned and want ill in the mornings, boys initiate mean online activity to help. Don't promise to keep the bullying begin truanting, earlier than girls do. However, a secret, but reassure your child that you begin doing poorly in by middle school, girls are more will help them sort out the problem. their school work, likely to engage in cyber bullying come home regularly with clothes or than boys. Bullying damages books destroyed, become withdrawn, start self-confidence so stammering, lack confidence, become Cyber bullies target their victims by ganging up on you must rebuild it. distressed and anxious, attempt or them and making them the subject of ridicule in Keep telling your threaten suicide, cry themselves to sleep, social and public forums. child you love them have some of their This is commonly done very much and you possessions go by a posting or sending are 100% on their missing, ask for false, as well as factual side. Explain that the bullying is not their money or start statements, intended to fault and reacting to bullies by crying or stealing money cause humiliation. They getting upset, only encourages them. (to pay off bullies), will disclose the personal Bullies usually move on from boredom if continually lose their data of the targeted victim on a website for the they do not get the response they are pocket money, have purpose of defaming or ridiculing that intended seeking. unexplained cuts target. Try to minimize opportunities for bullying scratches, bruises, cuts, even begin to by not carrying valuable possessions and bully other children themselves! They may Cyber bullying may also include threats not being the last one to leave the become aggressive and unreasonable and sexual remarks. Though these may be classroom, locker room or the playground. and give improbable excuses to explain present it is not the same as sexual Staying close to a group, even if they are any of the above. harassment and may not necessarily involve a not your friends, could be helpful. sexual offender or predator. Always make time for The impact of cyber you child and praise bullying can be just as them frequently. devastating as verbal or Provide opportunities physical abuse, so for your child to excel address it immediately and do well. by instructing your child Encourage them to to avoid responding, develop hobbies or to rather save and print statement for future get involved in some documentation. Don’t let it thrive or continue. type of sporting activity.