Bullying & Reporting

 

cross bookHWCDSB Anonymous Bullying Reporting Tool

‘And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.’ Mark 12:30-31

The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board (HWCDSB) holds sacred the view that each child is created in the image of God. Every person is to be treated with dignity and respect. Every student has the right to be safe and to feel respected in and around the school.

Guided by the teachings of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, the HWCDSB is committed to school environments where each member feels valued, respected, and has a sense of belonging with the goal of enabling all learners to realize the fullness of humanity.

The HWCDSB recognizes that bullying is detrimental to the entire school community. Bullying impacts not solely the victim, but also the one who bullies as well as the bystander. Bullying can lead to more long-term social and emotional problems. Bullying, including cyber bullying, is a serious issue and is not tolerated in a Catholic school environment, at school-related activities, on or off school property.

HWCDSB Anonymous Bullying Reporting Information

 

child looking at phoneWhat is Bullying?

'Bullying' means aggressive and typically repeated behaviour by a child or youth where,

a) they should know that the behaviour would be likely to,

i. cause 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. create a negative environment at a school for another individual

b) there is a real or perceived power imbalance based on factors such as size, strength, age, intelligence, peer group power, economic status, social status, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, family circumstances,
gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, disability or the receipt of special education.

Bullying is defined as: “typically a form of repeated, persistent, and aggressive behaviour directed at an individual or individuals that is intended to cause (or should be known to cause) fear and distress and/or harm to another person's body, feelings, self-esteem, or reputation. Bullying occurs in a context where there is a real or perceived power imbalance”.

 

 

report bully picReporting

The HWCDSB encourages all incidences of bullying to be reported to the school principal. Recognizing that some individuals may not feel comfortable with direct reporting, the HWCDSB has set up a safe and anonymous way to report bullying. Students, parents/guardians and Catholic school community members can use the HWCDSB Anonymous Bullying Reporting Tool.

Information provided from the HWCDSB Anonymous Bullying Reporting Tool is forwarded to the school administrator for awareness and appropriate follow up. Although the name of anyone reporting is not required, any follow up cannot be provided without contact information. All reports of bullying incidents will be reviewed with appropriate action taken, regardless of the method of reporting.

This HWCDSB Anonymous Bullying Reporting Tool is designed for students, parents/guardians and Catholic school community members to report non-emergency incidents of bullying. This tool is not monitored on a 24/7 basis. For an emergency situation, call 911. For a student who needs immediate emotional support, please call the Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or COAST 905-972-8338 or Toll Free: 1-844-972-8338. This crisis line is answered 24/7.

Be part of making our schools safer – Report Bullying.