Summarize the following:
People tend to move away when bullying happens. Fleeing the scene leaves the person being bullied alone, vulnerable, and embarrassed, as they become more visible to onlookers. Instead, move towards the person being bullied and sit, walk, or stand alongside them. If a close friend is being bullied, make arrangements, so you can be with them in situations where bullying typically happens. For example, you can plan to walk with them in-between classes or on the way to school. Even if you don't know the person being bullied, move towards and stand with them. Showing bravery in these situations breaks the "spell" that bullying can cast on bystanders. Many of your peers want to do the right thing but are too afraid. If you take the first step, some will follow. If you sense that you might get hurt, leave and go quickly to get an adult. When bullying happens, people tend to freeze up and wait to see what will happen next. Instead of watching passively, you can determine what happens next and redirect everyone towards something positive. Change the subject or create a diversion and try to include the person being bullied in a positive way. You can say things like, "this is too much drama for a Monday." Or "the bell's about to ring. Let's go." Try to compliment the person being bullied in some way. Engage the person being bullied in conversation. Even if you don't know the person well, you can ask them if they saw a recent movie or have weekend plans. If you're struggling to find something to say and things are heating up, create a diversion. Spill a bottle of water, drop your books, slam a locker, or set off a timer. Diversions break the tension and let everyone reevaluate what to do. Often the best way to diffuse a bullying situation is to help the person being bullied get awayespecially if the bullying has attracted a large audience and things are getting tense. Encourage the person being bullied to leave with you and walk in the direction of an adult. You can say something simple like: "hey, let's get out of here." Asking the person being bullied for help with something is a great strategy. You ask for help with last-minute homework, ask them to come with you on an errand, or even pretend that you lost something and need their help finding it. It can be hard not to take bullying to heart. Tell the person that's being bullied that the problem is not with them. Just reminding them that bullies are the ones who feel insecure can be a real help. Say something like,"You're really strong. The bully is the one who's weak because they need to pick on people to feel good. It's not cool." Tell them that you are free to talk if they feel upset in any way. Encourage them to tell an adult and offer to go with them when they report it.
Position yourself as close to a person being bullied as possible. Shift the focus away from bullying. Leave with the person being bullied. Reassure the person being bullied that it's not their fault.