Your child may receive cruel messages from another student through social media. Or perhaps they are being teased or even threatened at school. School bullying can be exhausting, frightening, and emotionally painful. But there are clear steps you can take to find out what is happening and stop it. Here are eight steps to follow if your child is being bullied at school:
1. Take Care of Your Child.
Before doing anything, attend to your child's needs. It is natural for children to feel sad, but you need to make sure they are not hurting themselves or others. Try your best to remove your child from the situation where they are being bullied. Simple phrases like "I love you" can lift their spirits significantly. Listening to what they want to share strengthens their trust in you. When you show interest in your child's feelings, you give them the strength to share the full story.
Remember that this care is not a one-time thing, but an ongoing responsibility throughout all the following steps.
Maintaining an emotionally supportive home environment. Source: pbs.org
2. Gather the Facts (and Document Them).
Ask your child gently and directly whether someone is doing something that makes them feel upset or embarrassed. Use open-ended questions to encourage them to talk. Once you have a general idea of what is happening, try to find out the details: Are you receiving hurtful messages? Who sends them? How many? When?
Then reach out to other people who may know what is going on. Your goal is to find out who is involved, and when and where the incidents occurred.
Collect any evidence, such as emails or texts, and keep copies. You can also take screenshots from social media or save voice messages.
3. Write Down the Story and Tell It.
Document everything you know, and try to create a timeline of events. If your child is ready, review the timeline with them (this may not happen in one sitting). Share the story with someone you trust, such as a family member or close friend, and ask for their feedback: Did you explain it clearly? Did you stick to the facts? Were you too emotional for the details to come through?
Document and record all the information you have gathered in order. Source: freepik.com
4. Report the Bullying to the School.
If the bullying happened in class, meet with the teacher, and request the principal's presence if necessary. If it happened during breaks or outside class, go directly to the principal.
Ask whether staff have noticed the bullying and how they handled it. Share your child's story and any documentation you have. Ask about what steps the school will take and when. Follow up later with an email outlining what was discussed.
5. Follow Up on the School's Response.
Once bullying is reported, the school may begin following specific steps to investigate and act. Ask the school to send written updates about the actions taken.
Monitor what the school does, and if the bullying continues, document any new incidents and inform the school, requesting to know what new steps will be taken. At every step, remember to stay close to your child and provide them with support.
Communicate with the school and follow up. Source: Business Wire
6. Escalate to Higher Authorities.
If the bullying continues two weeks after reporting, contact the district superintendent by phone and in writing.
Explain all the details you have gathered, who you spoke with, and what happened afterward. Request their help in ending the bullying. Keep any responses you receive.
If the situation does not change, contact the Ministry of Education.
7. Seek Legal Help.
If the bullying persists, consult a lawyer specializing in education cases. A lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and take necessary actions when tangible results are absent. 
Consult a lawyer if none of the mentioned methods succeed. Source: freepik.com
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