You Have the Power to Prevent Bullying Committee for Children is teaming up once again with bullying prevention superhero Captain Compassion® in support of National Bullying Prevention Month. This year, the Captain is back to empower kids and adults to use their bystander power and to give her trusty sidekick Kid Kinder® guidance about how to help others recognize, report, and refuse bullying. But we can’t put a stop to bullying without your help. Activate Your Bystander Power Follow Captain Compassion and Kid Kinder as they address the challenges that can come with being a bystander—and prove there‘s not just one way to activate your bystander power. Check back weekly for bullying prevention tips from the Captain Compassion comic series. Download the Secret Decoder Wheel with your kids and look for the hidden word each week. If your kids decode the full message at the end of the month, they can enter for a chance to be drawn as a Captain Compassion comic series character. Download the Secret Decoder Wheel Drag your mouse acrossthe Secret Decoder Wheelto spin it. Week 1: Trouble Online with Other Players Week 2: Bullying is No Joke Week 3: Kid Kinder Confides in Ari and Zoey Week 4: Kid Kinder Remembers His Anti-Bullying Skills Click on comic to enlarge | Click here for references Week 1: Trouble Online with Other Players Week 2: Bullying is No Joke Week 3: Kid Kinder Confides in Ari and Zoey Week 4: Kid Kinder Remembers His Anti-Bullying Skills Week 5 Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 See Where It All Began Check out past years’ comic series to learn how Kid Kinder earned his Bystander badge. Download Now Free Posters Download the 2020 Captain Compassion and Bystander Power posters. Download Now What Can You Do to Prevent Bullying Today? Adults play a crucial role in the success of bullying prevention efforts, but it’s not always clear how to help. This video can help you tap into your own bystander power, from recognizing the signs of bullying to fostering trusting relationships with the kids in your care. It’s also important to recognize that all kids connected with bullying—those who experience it, engage in it, and even witness it—can suffer long-term mental health consequences. The Importance of Bystander Power When bystanders intervene, it can reduce instances of bullying by more than 50 percent (Hawkins et al., 2001). Empowering kids to use their bystander power, whether it’s speaking out in the moment or reporting to a trusted adult, can contribute to creating a safer environment both in the classroom and outside of school (Nickerson et al., 2008). If Your Child Witnesses Bullying Ask for more details Assure them the situation will be addressed Follow up with school administration If Your Child Is Bullied Believe them Tell them you’ll make sure the situation is addressed Follow up with school administration If Your Child Is Bullying Listen with an open mind Remember the behavior doesn’t define the child Work with school administration on an action plan Nickerson, A. B., Mele, D., & Princiotta, D. (2008). Attachment and empathy as predictors of roles as defenders or outsiders in bullying interactions. Journal of School Psychology, 46(6), 687–703. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsp.2008.06.002 Hawkins, D. L., Pepler, D. J., & Craig, W. M. (2001). Naturalistic observations of peer interventions in bullying. Social Development, 10(4), 512–527. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9507.00178 Related Links Bullying Prevention Resources Find more information on recognizing and addressing bullying, engaging at-home activities, and curated research about the connection between bullying prevention and social-emotional learning. Learn More Bullying Prevention Resources Blog Explore Committee for Children’s blog posts dedicated to the topic of bullying prevention, from the latest updates on our nationwide advocacy efforts to strategies for families and educators to support a safe school climate. Read More Social Media Toolkit Show your support for bullying prevention throughout the month of October. Download Now