Overview

From February 26 to March 31, 2020, we invited students, parents, guardians and school staff to share their experiences about bullying in Ontario schools. This survey is now closed.

Bullying is a serious issue that can affect students’ learning, sense of safety and overall well-being.

Bullying is never okay.

Consultation next steps

We thank everyone who participated in the consultation. We are currently in the process of reviewing the feedback we received during the consultation period.

Your valuable feedback will help inform our work to make schools safer and more inclusive.

This survey is one of the five measures to prevent and combat bullying in Ontario schools announced by the Minister of Education on November 27, 2019.

What is bullying?

Bullying can take many forms. It can be:

  • physical, for example hitting, shoving, damaging or stealing property
  • verbal, for example name calling, mocking, making sexist, racist or homophobic comments
  • social, for example spreading gossip and/or rumours, excluding others from a group
  • written, for example writing notes and signs that are hurtful or insulting
  • electronic or cyber bullying, for example spreading rumours or hurtful comments using email, text messages and on social media.

Bullying can result in someone being hurt or harmed, either by words or actions, by one person or a group of people. It is meant to cause harm, fear or distress, or create a negative environment for another person, for example at school. Bullying occurs in a situation where there is a real or perceived power imbalance. It can happen anywhere, including in your neighbourhood, at school and while on-line. Bullying includes cyberbullying.

Children and youth can be affected by bullying if they are being bullied, they have watched someone else be bullied, or they are bullying others.

How to talk about it

When it comes to supporting a child’s success, conversations with a parent/guardian, or another caring adult are key.

Parents/guardians can find tips and suggestions to help support and encourage these conversations with the Parent Tool Kit: Teen Edition.

The tool kit provides tips for parents/guardians on various topics:

  • be a listener has tips on how to listen and talk to your teen without a lot of stress
  • be informed has information on understanding what is happening at school
  • be a mentor has advice for parents/guardians who feel anxious about the idea of giving their teen more independence
  • be a coach offers good strategies to help with issues such as lack of rest, stress or bullying

Information to help you

Bullying – we can all help stop it – A ministry resource for parents/guardians and all caring adults with information on what to watch for, what you can do, what you can expect from the school, and where you can go to learn more.

Building Healthy Relationships – Tool kit focuses on topics such as mental well-being, conflict resolution, bullying prevention, social media and resilience

We All Belong – A resource that includes videos, discussion guides and a book for parents/ guardians and schools to encourage parent/guardian engagement and to promote a wholeschool approach to safe, inclusive and accepting schools. The practical topics include bullying prevention, nurturing kindness and empathy, and problem-solving together.

Kids Help Phone – Support service that offers counselling 24/7 in English and French. Children and youth can talk or text with someone about what they are feeling at 1-800-668-6868 or http://www.kidshelpphone.ca