Purpose

Al Diyafah High School has a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, in any form, as we believe that each child has the right to an educational environment where they can feel safe and valued. The prevention, identification and reporting of bullying is the responsibility of all ADHS staff, students, and parents.

Scope

This policy is applicable to all ADHS staff, students and parents. The policy covers all forms of bullying. It is the responsibility of all members of the school community to ensure that all community members may learn and work in a safe, supportive and positive environment.

About Bullying

Here, at Al Diyafah, we define bullying as behaviour that is repetitive, intentional and involves a misuse of power in the relationship. This can be by an individual or group causing harm, distress, or fear to the victim. Bullying can take on many forms and includes:

• Verbal: Name calling, cursing, spreading rumours, teasing, or making anonymous phone calls.
• Physical: Any acts of violence like pushing, kicking, beating, or taking other’s belongings and hiding it.
• Social: Persuading others to ignore someone causing emotional distress.
• Suggestive: Gestures that may come across as threatening or rude.
• Cyberbullying: An aggressive, intentional act carried out by a group or an individual using electronic forms of contact repeatedly, mostly anonymously, 24/7 against a victim who cannot easily defend himself/herself.

Actions & Consequences

The corrective actions and consequences relating to all forms of bullying behaviour whether verbal, physical, emotional, social, suggestive and or cyber are included in the Behaviour for Learning Policy.

How to Respond to Bullying

If a student feels they are being bullied, then they should reach out to someone they are comfortable with.

Students have been informed about their various points of contacts (whom to go to if a problem occurs) here in school. Starting with their Form Tutors, followed by the Head of Year, then the Key Stage Head and finally the Head of Section or any member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT).

How Parents Can Help

• Be aware of your child's interests, their social life and in-school events.
• Encourage your child to be tolerant, broad-minded, and embrace individual differences.
• Look out for any physical, psychosomatic, emotional, or disturbing behaviours that may indicate that your child is being bullied.
• Build your child's self-esteem.
• Discuss the school's Anti-Bullying policy with the child.
• Refrain from contacting other parents or circulating information on social media.
• Report it immediately to the school authorities (Form Tutor / Head of Year / School Counsellor / SLT).

It is an expectation within the UAE that all educational establishments follow the Law regarding Tolerance.

About Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying or digital harassment can include:

• Bullying by text, messages, or calls on mobile phones.
• The use of a mobile camera to cause distress, fear, or humiliation.
• Posting threatening, abusive, defamatory, or humiliating materials on websites (including blogs, personal websites, and social networking sites).
• Using emails to message others, or hijacking/cloning email accounts.
• Making threatening, abusive, defamatory, or humiliating remarks in a chat room.
• Through gaming where people can view, participate, or share content which is inappropriate.

Roles and Responsibilities Regarding Cyberbullying

• The school endeavours to block access to inappropriate websites using firewalls, antivirus protection, and filtering systems.
• The school will support victims and work with authorities where necessary to detect those involved in these acts.
• Use appropriate sanctions for children who bully fellow children or harass staff both in and out of school.
• Ensure staff are aware of their responsibilities by providing clear guidance on the use of technology.
• All members are aware that they have a duty to bring to the attention of the SLT any example of cyberbullying or harassment they know of or suspect.
• Ensure all policies related to bullying are reviewed and updated regularly.
• Ensure that at the beginning of the term, cyberbullying is revisited as part of the student's safety.
• Maintain confidentiality and sensitivity to the wellbeing of the student.

Guidance for Teachers

• Record Date, Time, Names, and medium of bullying.
• Make a transcript of the spoken message displayed on the concerned device.
• Print off the offending material straight away.
• Ensure there are no omissions of material.
• If a child protection issue arises, standard protocols are adhered to.

Guidance for Students

• If you or someone you know is the victim of cyberbullying, speak to a trusted adult as soon as possible.
• Do not answer abusive messages, but log and report them. Do not delete anything until it has been shown to an appropriate person.
• Never reply to abusive emails.
• Never reply to someone you don't know.

Guidance for Parents

• Always be aware of and monitor the sites your child is visiting.
• Limit screen time and internet usage.
• Explain to your child the importance of staying safe on the internet.
• Explain to your child legal issues relating to cyberbullying.
• Speak to a member of the SLT or the child protection officer straight away about any concerns.