You Have the Power to Prevent Bullying Captain Compassion® is back! Committee for Children’s bullying prevention superhero has returned in support of National Bullying Prevention Month. This year, Captain Compassion empowers kids and adults to use their upstander power and gives her trusty sidekick Kid Kinder® guidance about how to help others recognize, report, and refuse bullying. Together, we can create safer environments for kids. Activate Your Upstander Power Follow Captain Compassion and Kid Kinder as they address the challenges that can come with being an upstander—and show there‘s not just one way to activate your upstander power. Check back weekly for bullying prevention tips from the Captain Compassion comic series. Download the Secret Decoder Wheel with the kids in your life and look for the hidden word each week. If kids decode the full message at the end of the month, they can enter our sweepstakes for a chance to be drawn as a Captain Compassion comic series character. Download the Secret Decoder Wheel Click here for promotion rules, eligibility, and other details and restrictions. 2021 Captain Compassion® Comics Click here for references Week 1: The Back-to-School Blues Week 2: Cyberbullying Week 3: When Bullying Happens at School Week 4: Upstander Power in Action Week 5: Upstanders Unite Click on comic to enlarge | Click here for references Week 1: The Back-to-School Blues Week 2: Cyberbullying Week 3: When Bullying Happens at School Week 4: Upstander Power in Action Week 5: Upstanders Unite Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Read the Origin Story All heroes start somewhere. Go back to the beginning of Kid Kinder’s story and follow his journey to becoming an upstander. Start Here Free Posters Download the 2021 Captain Compassion and Upstander Power posters. Download Now What Can Adults Do to Prevent Bullying? 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 upstander power, recognize the signs of bullying, and foster trusting relationships with the kids in your life. 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 Upstander Power When upstanders intervene, it can reduce instances of bullying by more than 50 percent (Hawkins et al., 2001). Empowering kids to use their upstander 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 Captain Compassion Secret Decoder Wheel Promotion Disclosure NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States or D.C. who are at least 18 years old (or the age of majority in their jurisdiction of residence, whichever is older) upon entry. Entrants can enter the Promotion (a) on behalf of themselves; (b) if the parent or legal guardian of a child who is under the legal age of majority in their state of residence and such minor child shares the same legal residence as the parent or legal guardian (a “Minor”), on behalf of a Minor; and or (c) if a teacher of Minor, on behalf of such Minor with parent/legal guardian consent. Void where prohibited. “Promotion Period” is from 12:00:01 am PT on 9/26/2022 to 11:59:59 pm PT on 11/4/2022. To enter, during the Promotion Period: (1) Print the PDF located at https://www.cfchildren.org/wp-content/uploads/resources/bullying-prevention-information/cc2021/docs/captain-compassion-decoder-wheel.pdf and follow the instructions to create the Secret Decoder Wheel; (2) decode the code word in all five Captain Compassion comics released weekly on https://www.cfchildren.org/resources/bullying-prevention-information/ during the Promotion Period (5 codes total); and (3) send the correct codes via one DM to @cfchildren on Facebook or Twitter or @committeeforchildren on Instagram. One winner will be selected to win one personalized illustration of the winner (or the individual(s) designated by such winner) with Captain Compassion. Approx. Retail Value $0. Promotion subject to Official Rules. Details and restrictions apply, so visit https://www.cfchildren.org/resources/bullying-prevention-information/captain-compassion-promotion-official-rules for Official Rules. Sponsor: Committee for Children, 2815 Second Ave., Suite 400 Seattle, WA 98121. Social Media Toolkit Show your support for bullying prevention throughout the month of October. Download Now