Understanding Bystander Reporting Behavior in School Bullying

• In Event: Bystander Behavior and Intervention Strategies in Contexts of Violence

Abstract

Although much scholarship has focused on the extent and sources of bullying in schools, far less attention has been paid to bystander reporting behavior. Specifically, from the perspective of a student bystander, what types of bullying are they likely to report, who will they report it to, and why? This study draws from a sample of 454 middle and high school students to assess factors related to bystander reporting of bullying in school. Bystanders’ willingness to report different types of bullying (e.g., physical, verbal, cyber) are assessed, along with the individuals they would be most willing to tell (e.g., teachers, police). Preliminary results indicate that nearly 75% of students are likely to report physical bullying and verbal bullying. However, only around 60% of students would report bullying they observed on social media. Moreover, more than 75% of students said they would tell a teacher they observed bullying at school but only 25% of students would tell their parents. The implications of these results will be expanded upon in more detail.

Authors

• Hoda Elsafadi, University of Texas at Dallas

• Alexander Burton, The University of Texas at Dallas

• Cheryl Lero Jonson, Xavier University

• Melissa Moon, Northern Kentucky University