Prevent Child Abuse Indiana
Bullying Prevention
Unfortunately, bullying has been a part of children’s lives probably since the beginning of time. However, what was once thought of as “just a part of childhood” is now seen as a very serious, and sometimes deadly, form of abuse. Adults, as well as peers, need to stand up to bullying, and intervene immediately when it is believed that it is occurring. More importantly, let’s find ways to prevent bullying from ever happening in the first place.
Here are just a few tips to prevent, and respond, to bullying (including cyber-bullying):
- Understand that it is not a “rite of passage” for children to be bullied. It can have very long-term, even deadly, consequences.
- Pay attention to what is going on both at school and at home. If a child starts to fear going to school or to an activity, ask questions.
- Have clear discipline policies at school or in sports activities, and make it understood that bullying will not be tolerated, and that there will be consequences, including for cyber-bullying.
- Have in-services for teachers and parents about what to look for in terms of bullying, and how to prevent it.
- Encourage youth to talk to an adult if they are being bullied, or if they know that bullying is occurring to a friend or classmate
- Supervise children when they are on-line, and tell them to never pass along harmful information about others
- Tell children to never give out personal information on-line.
- Insist on having access to their social media sites.
- Start teaching empathy at an early age (even from birth!) so that children will grow understanding how hurtful it is to harm or tease others.
- Teach interpersonal skills (again, from an early age). Many children who bully lack the skills to make or keep friendships
- Create opportunities for children to “do good”, especially children you know or suspect may be engaging in bullying behaviors.
PCAIN offers a Bullying Prevention training — This training will introduce basic concepts and definitions around Bullying behaviors. It will address the different forms of bullying, prevention methods, as well as policies and laws in Indiana around bullying. This training is available for groups from 10-50 people and is appropriate for older youth, parents, community members, educators, and professionals who work with children. To schedule a training, click the TRAINING tab above.
For more information, go to:
To order or print our Brochure on this topic (or any of our brochure topics), please click HERE.
Prevent Child Abuse Indiana is a vital resource to our community and is working diligently to protect and serve the children of our state. Amid the COVID-19 virus, this work is more important now than ever before. This vulnerable time is causing families to become unemployed, leading to lack of resources for food and shelter. We know that vulnerable conditions such as these can lead to increased cases of child abuse, which is why we need your help.
It is possible that small, discreet actions can make a difference in a child’s life. Please join us at this virtual event to see how you can make a difference during Child Abuse Prevention month.
“April is a time to help people across the country understand the safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and environments are necessary to ensure that children grow up happy and healthy,” says Sandy Runkle, Director of Programs for Prevent Child Abuse Indiana.
Our mission is simple: To be the voice in Indiana for preventing child abuse in all its forms. We practice this mission by raising awareness, serving as a resource for the community, advocating for preventive policies and programs, and fostering a statewide network committed to child abuse prevention. Together with the support of our dedicated volunteers, we’re working to stop child abuse before it begins.
We do not take abuse or neglect reports.
Please contact the
Indiana Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at
1-800-800-5556
to report suspected child abuse or neglect.
Please do not contact PCAIN regarding concerns or complaints pertaining to DCS. Indiana has a Bureau of the Ombudsman, and they have “…the authority to receive, investigate and attempt to resolve complaints concerning the actions of the Department of Child Services (DCS) and to make recommendations to improve the child welfare system. The Bureau operates independently of DCS and is housed in the Department of Administration.” Contact information is below.
DCS Ombudsman Information Line
877-682-0101 – Toll Free
317-232-3154 – Fax
DCSOmbudsman@idoa.in.gov
