No blame approach: bullying intervention without apportioning blame
Contribution by ChristinaPischof-Berger
Bullying is a particular conflict and violence problem, the resolution of which poses a major challenge in everyday school life.
Not only those affected suffer from the bullying situation, but also those who witness the bullying in the classroom and would like to help or those who are afraid of being next. Bullying has a negative impact on every individual. One proven method is the “no-blame approach”, which aims to stop bullying promptly and sustainably. The focus is on solving the problem. How the situation arose or who the culprits are is of secondary importance in this context. What is special about this solution-oriented approach is that – despite the seriousness of the problem – there is no apportioning of blame or punishment. The young people involved in the bullying are integrated into the solution process in a goal- and resource-oriented manner and are actively involved in ending the bullying. The procedure takes place in three phases: 1) Discussion with the pupil concerned: The aim is to inform the pupil about the planned course of action and to convey confidence. 2) Discussion with the support group: This group is a helper group for the teacher. It includes the main actors, followers and young people who have not previously played an active role in the bullying. Together, these children form a support group. Each one is given a task that will be binding in the future. 3) Individual discussions: Approximately 10 days later, each young person – including the person being bullied – discusses how the situation has developed and whether each individual is adhering to the agreement. Individual discussions make the pupils directly responsible and strengthen the lasting effect of the agreed measures. Three teachers at BernoulliGymnasium completed the No-Blame-Approach training course in order to be able to act professionally and effectively in cases of bullying. BernoulliGymnasium has been a certified No-Blame-Approach school since February 2018.
We don’t give bullying a chance!
Further information
o Initiative “Schools solve bullying “ http://www.schulen-lösen-mobbing.at
o Folder for young people “Cyber bullying ” https://www.saferinternet.at/fileadmin/files/Materialien_2014/Flyer_Cybermobbing.pdf Contact persons: Mag.a Irene Rossmanith
JuliaTeuschl-Woller
