Bullying

Advice

• Ignore the person who is intimidating you
• Stay away from them
• Do not respond when they provoke you
• Tell someone you can trust
• Avoid being alone
• Take note of the date and time of the intimidating behaviour
• Clearly state that you wish to be left alone
• Report the situation to the police or to other professionals

You do not have to follow all of this advice before going to the police. If you feel the situation warrants it, you can contact the police sooner.

Often police intervention is combined with assistance from other responders to stop the intimidation. Police Officers can direct you to the specialized resources you may need.

• Never take it lightly if your child complains about being bullied.
• Ask your child to describe what is happening.
• Encourage your child to report the aggressor.
• Assure you child that you will help.
• If you have to, inform the school about the situation.
• School behaviour codes generally have zero tolerance for bullying and intimidation for extortion. There may be consequences for the aggressor. It is important for your child to know that you are there to provide support and that you will not tolerate this kind of treatment.
• Reinforce your child’s self-esteem by helping him or her to develop strengths and talents.
• Never encourage your child to defend him or herself by hitting back. This just teaches a type of violence that is likely to increase the aggression and rejection the child is already experiencing.
• Enrol your child in activities that can help him or her develop a better body image.
• Encourage your child to make new friends by enrolling him or her in extracurricular or activities or hobbies.
• Avoid overprotecting the child and trying to solve the problems in his or her place.

Source: Ordre des psychologues du Québec

If your teen has encountered any form of violence, (bullying, assault, threats, etc.), don’t ignore it. If he or she talks to you about being a victim, listen carefully. Speak up about it, lodge a complaint with the police and notify school authorities, if necessary. You can also provide information anonymously by calling Info-Crime Montréal at 514 393-1133.

When young people are exposed to intimidation and coercion—by gangs or others—there is an increased risk that they will adopt aggressive or criminal behaviour to protect themselves. As a result, they are vulnerable to being drawn into a gang lifestyle, which in turn, can lead to delinquency and crime. 

Is your child showing signs of delinquent behaviour? Remember that as a parent you can do something to help. Establish clear rules at home and stick to them. Know who your child’s friends are. Find out what they do and where they go. Work with teachers and the school administration to keep tabs on your child’s performance.

Communication is vital. Find ways to show how important your child is to you. If disciplinary measures become necessary, focus on the inappropriate behaviour, not on personality. For most teens, committing delinquent acts is only a temporary phase they go through in their attempt to establish their own identity. If they get the support they need, they will eventually come around and once again behave in a way that shows respect for others.

Remember, you’re not alone! Many organizations offer free resources to parents dealing with their youngsters’ problematic behaviour. Break the silence and take advantage of the services to talk about what you’re experiencing and get help.

10 main reasons kids bully others

• Someone – perhaps a parent or brother or sister – is bullying them
• Someone bigger and stronger is pressuring the child to be “tougher”
• They think the world revolves around them
• They need attention
• They have problems at home
• They have no real friend and they feel lonely
• They don’t feel good about themselves and they want others to feel bad too
• They feel bullied, and bullying others gives them a sense of power
• They want their classmates to think they’re strong and in control
• They don’t think about other people’s feelings or could care less 

The following organizations can provide you with information and support:  

Information and Referral Centre of Greater Montréal

• Free service providing information about and referrals to community resources available in Greater Montréal.
• Tel.: 514-527-1375  

Your local CLSC

• Routine, preventive and therapeutic health care and social services (nurses, social workers, psychologists, special educators, etc.).
• Tel.: 514-286-5615

Log into the positive

Jeunesse j'écoute - Bullying

• 1-800-668-6868

Tel-jeunes - Bullying

• Help line to support and counsel youth. 
• Tél. : 1-800-263-2266      

Tel-jeunes - parents phone line

• Free, confidential and professional help line for parents, a complementary service to Tel-jeunes. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Tel.: 514-288-5555 

Parents en marge de la rue

• Support for parents whose children are involved in street-life related situations (running away, prostitution, etc.).
• Tel.: 514-849-5632

Ligne Parents (in french only)

Youth Protection Directorate

• Filing and processing of reports. Assessment and referral services. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Tel.: 514 896-3100

Health and social services centres (CSSS)

Batshaw Youth and Family Centres

• Filing and processing of reports. Assessment and referral services. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Tel.: 514 935-6196

Community relations officer at your PDQ

• Tips, tools and referrals addressing youth-related issues and resources.
• Tel.: 514 280-04XX (The last two digits are the number of your neighbourhood police station). Example: PDQ 24 = 514 280-0424