Bullying is a serious matter that can have a significant impact on learning, student safety and the school climate. In fact, principals must now consider suspension when dealing with acts of bullying.
Ontario has a bullying prevention strategy to help prevent bullying in schools. The strategy includes making resources available to help schools, parents and students who are worried about bullying in schools.
Bullying Prevention Resources
Schools
Updated Sample School Climate Surveys
These new sample surveys will help schools assess perceptions of safety. This information can be used to help schools make planning decisions about programs and resources to help prevent all forms of bullying and harassment, and promote safe and inclusive schools.
- Bullying: We Can All Help Stop It
The effects of bullying go beyond the school yard. For you as a parent, here's what to watch for, what you can do, and where you can go to get help.
Registry of Resources for Safe and Inclusive Schools
This registry provides information about resources that may be suitable for purchase and use in elementary and secondary schools. It includes resources to help prevent bullying and to promote safe and inclusive schools.
Online Respect and Responsibility
Education Minister Kathleen Wynne brought students together to talk about respect and responsibility in the world of technology. This report summarizes the students' experiences and perspectives and the solutions they suggested.
Character Development
The ministry has introduced a Character Development initiative that supports academic achievement by developing well-rounded citizens who will help build respectful, safe, caring and inclusive school environments.
Policy and Program Memorandum on Bullying Prevention
This memorandum provides direction to school boards on the development and implementation of their policies on bullying prevention and intervention. It includes the provincial definition of bullying.
Shaping a Culture of Respect in Our Schools: Promoting Safe and Healthy Relationships (PDF, 632 KB)
The Safe Schools Action Team examined gender-based violence, homophobia, sexual harassment and inappropriate sexual behaviour in schools, as well as barriers to reporting these incidents. This 2008 report summarizes the findings and makes recommendations for action.
Safe Schools Policy and Practice: An Agenda for Action
This 2006 Safe Schools Action Team report provides a concise overview of the opinions and points of view expressed by Ontarians on the Safe Schools Act and the issue of school and community safety.
Shaping Safer Schools: A Bullying Prevention Action Plan (PDF, 628 KB)
The 2005 report provides the Safe School Action Team's recommendations to make schools safer through a provincewide bullying prevention plan.
Parents
Bullying: We Can All Help Stop It
The effects of bullying go beyond the school yard. As a parent, here's what to watch for, what you can do, and where you can go to get help. This information is available in 22 languages.
Making Ontario's Schools Safer: What Parents Need to Know (2008) (PDF, 80 KB)
Find out more about what Ontario is doing to help make schools safer. What do the changes to the safe schools legislation mean for you and your child? As well, learn more about progressive discipline and the Ontario Code of Conduct.
Online Respect and Responsibility
Education Minister Kathleen Wynne brought students together to talk about respect and responsibility in the world of technology. This report summarizes the students' experiences and perspectives and the solutions they suggested.
Students
Kids Help Phone
As a result of a partnership with the Ministry of Education that began in 2005, Kids Help Phone has helped thousands of Ontario students with bullying-related issues by phone and through their online counselling, information and referral services.
Online Respect and Responsibility
Education Minister Kathleen Wynne brought students together to talk about respect and responsibility in the world of technology. This report summarizes the students' experiences and perspectives and the solutions they suggested.
EqualityRules.ca
This website educates students about respecting themselves and others, and how to speak up when they or their friends are being treated unfairly.
