The Northwest Territories’ legislation defines bullying as: aggressive and typically repeated behaviour by a student, (a) that occurs while at school, at a school-related activity or in another situation where the behaviour is likely to have a negative impact on the school climate; (b) where the behaviour is intended by the student to have the effect of, or the student ought to know that the behaviour would be likely to have the effect of, (i) causing harm, fear or distress to another individual, including physical, psychological, social or academic harm, harm to the individual’s reputation or harm to the individual’s property, or (ii) creating a negative learning environment for another individual, and (c) where the behaviour occurs in a context where there is a real or perceived power imbalance between the student and the individual based on factors such as size, strength, intelligence, peer group power, race, colour, ancestry, nationality, ethnic origin, place of origin, creed, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family status, family affiliation, political belief, political association or social condition; (intimidation). Bullying behaviour under this definition can include physical, verbal, electronic, written or other means. Electronic bullying is further defined to include bullying by any electronic means, including the following: (a) creating a web page or a blog in which the creator assumes the identity of another person; (b) impersonating another person as the author of content or messages posted on the internet; (c) communicating material electronically to more than one individual or posting material on a web page that may be accessed by one or more individuals.
Cyberbullying is defined as bullying by any electronic means. It typically includes repeated and hostile or demeaning electronic communication by a student through the use of technology (e.g.: computers, other electronic devices, social networks, text messaging, instant messaging, websites, email, etc.) and is intended by the student to cause harm, dear or distress to the victim. The harm may be psychological, social or academic harm or it may be harm to the victim’s reputation. Cyberbullying includes behaviour by a student that assists or encourages in any way cyberbullying behaviour.
In the Northwest Territories, Bill 12: An Act to Amend the Education Act established a definition of bullying and a Territorial School Code of Conduct, and requires Divisional Education Councils or District Education Authorities to ensure that schools develop safe school plans.
This Bill amends the Education Act to require a Divisional Education Council or, if there is no Divisional Education Council for an education district, a District Education Authority, to ensure:
A safe schools plan must include, among other things, measures to address instances of bullying and cyberbullying consistent with the regulations.
The advice of parents, school staff and students may be sought during the development of a safe schools plan.
For more details on cyberbullying legislation, including federal legislation, please visit: Legal Consequences of Cyberbullying
Parents/guardians have a responsibility to work with the adults in their child’s life (teachers, school principals, coaches, and group leaders) so that together, they can teach students that bullying and cyberbullying are wrong and unacceptable. Schools, (public and private) school boards, parents, teachers, and ministries are all responsible for creating safe environments where everyone is treated with respect.
These are your rights as a parent under the current legislation:
What you should expect as a parent:
You have a right to expect that a Divisional Education Council or, if there is no Divisional Education Council for your education district, a District Education Authority, to ensure:
The safe schools plan must include policies and guidelines on reporting of bullying incidents, documentation of bullying incidents and appropriate and timely response by the school to bullying incidents. The plans must also include bullying prevention, intervention and education strategies.
If your child confides that he or she has been bullied or cyberbullied at school, or if you hear about if from school personnel or someone else, this is what you should expect as a parent:
Students who are being bullied or cyberbullied often do not want their parents/guardians to report it to the school out of fear or shame, but teachers and administration need to know about the bullying in order to stop it. Work with your child to determine which adults he or she trusts and feels most comfortable with, so that these adults can be involved in the solution.
Remember: approach the school in a calm, supportive manner despite the painful feelings of anger and worry you may feel. It is your job to protect your child, but it is the school’s role to maintain a safe learning environment for all students. It is the school’s responsibility to determine appropriate responses and consequences for the student who bullied and to maintain students’ privacy. Stay focused on solving the problem – preventing further incidents and enabling your child to feel safe and supported.
You have the right to expect the safe schools plan to include policies and guidelines with respect to:
If you find out that your child has bullied or cyberbullied at school, either through hearing about it from school personnel, your child, or someone else, this is what you should expect as a parent:
At the School District Level:
You have the right to expect the safe schools plan to include policies and guidelines with respect to:
Remember, you are a role model for your children. Children watch what their parents do very closely, and are influenced by your actions as well as your words. If your children see you communicating respectfully and remaining constructive in the face of disagreements with others, they are more likely to behave the same way.
The Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) has established initiatives with the goal of putting a stop to bullying in schools, the Northwest Territories communities and online. A campaign has been launched to create awareness that bullying is not acceptable and to acknowledge that more students and people are standing up to bullying. For more information parents and students should visit www.stopbullyingnwt.ca