Responding To Bullying

Resource List for Minneapolis Area Synod Congregations

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” (Proverbs 18:21b)

While bullying has been an issue for young people for many years, the severity and means of bullying are in many cases elevating. Media brings this issue to the forefront. As we hear and read of teens who are hurt and even turn to suicide because of bullying, our hearts break and our call to respond deepens.
 
The resources below are provided to help you and your congregation create safe places for young people to turn to when facing violence or ridicule from their peers, and to help people of all ages grow as advocates for peace. Here is a pdf of the resource list for you to download.

On the Living Lutheran website

• The congregation’s responsibility to address bullying
• Cyber bullying
• Bishop Bruce Burnside’s personal “it gets better” story
• 10 Commandments for kids online

Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson

• “It Gets Better” YouTube video

Dr. Jeremy Myers, Augsburg College

• "Have we given them any other option?"

Anti-Bullying Policies

• Sample Policy from Prince of Peace Lutheran, Brooklyn Park 

Lutherans Concerned North America – anti-bullying resources

• “Where All Can Safely Live” – free download (guide to understanding bullying in our communities, how to talk about it, and how to prevent it)
• “Where Hands Will Reach” – free download (responses to bullying from ELCA pastors, parents, theologians, and others; includes devotions and theological reflections)

Seekardia – (the word “see” in English and the ancient Greek word for heart, “kardia”)

• Seekardia.com – a growing resource for prevention of bullying (for any reason)
• “Talking to Teens and Adults about Bullying” – 36 page guide with lesson plans for youth (6th-12th) and parents and adults (A sample copy is available at the synod office.)

Peer Ministry Leadership – Faith-based training and resources for youth and adult mentors

• Information and training dates
• Peer Ministry Leadership curriculum – designed for middle and high school youth
• Every Day Samaritan curriculum – designed for early adolescents
• “Bullied” – a reflection on bullying by Lyle Griner, Peer Ministry Leadership Director

PACER’s (Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights)

• PACER’s National Prevention Center home page – with links to video clips of stories and songs related to bullying
• PACER’s website for teens about bullying - many local schools listed on the “Shout Out” page
• PACER’s website for elementary–age children

Pacific Violence Prevention Institute (PVPI)

• Bullying and harassment Prevention
• PVPI’s Beyond the “Bully”

Youthrive – non-profit engaging young people with adults in leadership and peace-building skills

• Youthrive.net
• Holy Cross Lutheran, Oakdale is connecting with the Youthrive “PeaceJam” initiative

AMAZE – local non-profit committed to create safe and respectful communities for all children

• Families All Matter literacy-based anti-bullying curriculum
• Christ the King, Bloomington is a pilot congregation for this initiative

Collaborative, international web site on bullying

• www.bullying.org – inspired by a teacher and father after the 1999 shootings in Colorado and Alberta, Canada
• Red-haired boy video - produced by this group

Books and handouts on bullying from author, speaker Barbara Coloroso

• KidsAreWorthIt.com – includes PDF handouts (also available in Spanish)
• “The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander” book and CD

Star Tribune

• Recent article on bullying

MPR News Story

• Stand Up, Speak Out bullying awareness and bystander training event at Blake School – October 2011

Minnesota Departments of Health and Education

• Minnesota study about teens and bullying
• MPR news article about the study

Websites providing information from various government agencies

• StopBullying.gov
• Tip sheets and guides

Documentary – The Bully Project, a year in the life of America’s bullying crisis
Recommended by Diane Ott-Hager, Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran, NE Minneapolis

• www.thebullyproject.com
• Stats and Tip Sheets for students, parents, and staff

Today Show – 6 part video series on bullying  

• “My Kid Would Never Bully”

NBC movie about choosing to stand up against bullying

• “Field of Vision”

NOTE:
This list is a compilation of various suggested resources from leaders across our synod and congregations. The information in these documents is provided for informational and resource purposes only; the ideas and theology stated in them are not necessarily endorsed by the Minneapolis Area Synod nor the ELCA at large.