Hamilton public school board bolsters bullying prevention policy

Hamilton's public school board is beefing up its bullying prevention and intervention policy in response to recommendations made by an expert panel following the October 2019 stabbing death of 14-year-old high school student Devan Selvey.

Changes include commitments to a clear and accessible process" when bullying occurs, better communication on bullying incidents and school responses, and daily bullying-awareness practices.

Every school will have bullying-prevention teams with student and parent members, as well as safe spaces and affinity groups" reflecting the identity of students using them.

Students and parents will be urged to report bullying incidents to a trusted adult at their school or the principal, while staff are expected to do so immediately to the principal.

A range of interventions will include programs and supports for students who are victims, witnesses or perpetrators of bullying, with consequences and education for bullies based on progressive discipline.

All allegations of bullying will be taken seriously and the process of responding and providing support will be transparent," the policy states.

Trustee Maria Felix Miller, chair of the board's policy committee, said she's pleased with the clarity around expectations and communication when bullying occurs because it's often distressing for families, whether their child is a victim or perpetrator.

Often, the first thing they say is, I don't know what's happening, I don't know the consequences that are happening, I don't know what reports are then going to happen,'" she said after the committee unanimously backed the changes on Feb. 1.

Once they start to see that the plans are working and that our leaders are responsive, it makes a complete difference for their experience."

Miller said she also likes the updated policy's culturally sensitive, anti-racist and anti-oppressive framework.

That responds to a survey of 6,500 students conducted for the expert panel that showed 20 per cent were frequently bullied, with gender diverse, two-spirited and LGBTQ+ students more than twice as likely to be victims.

The policy's commitment to daily awareness-raising practices is key because students don't always realize they are bullying, Miller said.

We need to get better at recognizing those behaviours, supporting them in an appropriate way, but then also starting to build out some more community," she said.

That's the single biggest difference in terms of data for bullying: When students feel part of the community, they bully less. It's when students feel outside of their community that you see a surge of those types of behaviours."