Prevent Bullying and Hazing Use the Early Warning Signs of Violence Prevent Bullying and Hazing Bullying and hazing can create a climate of danger in a school. Bullies harass and terrorize their victims, driving many into depression and isolation. Many victims later become perpetrators of violence themselves. Kids want their teachers help and support in responding to bullies, although most often they do not ask for fear of social consequences or because they believe adults will do nothing.
Teachers can build trust with their students by acting to stop bullying.
Hazing is increasingly recognized as an organized form of bullying that can be both inherently dangerous and part of a climate tolerating violence. Initiation rights that rise to the level of hazing are common with groups ranging from school athletic teams to social cliques to street gangs. In some high schools, upper-class students systematically haze freshmen as part of school tradition. Schools and teachers may face civil suits if they tolerate even traditional hazing, however, and anti-hazing laws have led to the filing of criminal charges against high school students in several states. Get to Know Students Open communication is essential to identifying kids needing help.