Tackling Bullying and Exclusion at School

Bullying and exclusion harm mental health and violate student rights to a safe, welcoming school environment. A comprehensive anti-bullying policy should include prevention through teaching empathy and conflict resolution; intervention by staff to stop bullying; support groups for targets; and restorative practices to build relationships. Schools must evaluate climate, track incident reports, provide staff training, enforce consequences, and partner with families to address bullying issues. Cultivating a caring school community and giving students skills to respond to mistreatment empowers positive change and reduces bullying behaviors.