#UPSTAND WINNER!
Winner of our 2016 Upstand Competition Samantha Plunkett is seen here during filming of her winning script with (from left to right): Shortland Street’s Grace Palmer, More FM Drive Show Host Jason Gunn, Samantha and friend Georgia Rossiter.
Bystander > Upstander
A Victim, Bully, Bystander and Upstander can be anyone: a friend, a teacher/staff member, parent/caregiver, coach, colleague, classmate; and ANY age.
bystander
ˈbʌɪstandə/noun
- a person who is present at an event or incident but does not take part.
upstander
English Noun upstander (plural upstanders); (verb upstand)
- A person who stands up for something, as contrasted to a bystander who remains inactive.
- (verb) Being willing to stand up and take action in defence of others:“Speak up, #upstand – stop bullying!”
A bystander is someone who sees bullying happening and chooses to react by laughing, giggling, pointing, staring, doing nothing, whispering to other people about it and/or gossiping about it. They might play 'the messenger' between bully and victim, spread rumours they have heard or join in when a bully is ignoring/excluding someone. Or a bystander might 'like' or favourite a mean post on Facebook, Instagram or other social media sites. Being a bystander is like saying YOU agree with the bully. Not cool.
Did you know that as a young person, you have 50% more chance of stopping school yard bullying (by standing up and telling the bully that it's not ok) than a teacher does?!? Boom!!!
How to be an UPSTANDER!
- There’s power in numbers. Team up with others to take the power out of bullying. Even standing with one other person is double the power you had standing alone. “let us help”, “stop it”, “we’ll find an adult”, "are you ok"?
- Questioning a rumour is a great way to stop it in its tracks. When someone passes along a rumour, ask them how they know whether or not it’s true.
- If you see someone being cyberbullied, take a moment to write that person something supportive. Whether you write a private message or a public post, it will help them know they're not alone.
- Sit with someone who’s new or left out, or invite them to sit with you and your friends. One simple act of inclusion can have a lasting effect on someone's feelings of self worth.
- Tell the bully to stop, if you can do so safely – “bullying is not ok”, “this isn’t cool”, “please stop”
- Shift the focus and redirect the bully away from the victim
- Start a social/support/action group to help create a more positive community
- Run a pro-social event (visit our Info Hub for ideas www.upstand.org)
- Invite the victim to join you and include him/her in some of your activities
- Tell an adult that you trust, who can help. And if you don’t feel you can trust anyone, contact Youthline: www.youthline.co.nz, call 0800 37 66 33 or txt 234
WIN a "kindness begins with you" notebook.
Tell us how you've been an UPSTANDER and go in the draw to win 1 of 10 epic notebooks.
p.s. there are a truck load of ideas above, just saying.
© Copyright 2020. Be The Change NZ