Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

Critical Issues

If you are ever the TARGET, remember these things:

It is not your fault! No one deserves to be attacked, humiliated, or treated in a mean nasty way. It's the bully who has the problem.

Recognize you are not the only one experiencing this kind of emotional terrorism. There are lots of kids going through the same kinds of things you're going through. Many of them won't talk about it because they are afraid the bullying will get worse.

Try to find at least one friend who you trust and can have fun with. It may be someone from another school, a sports team, someone you share a common interest with or a Girl Scout troop! Having just one good friend can make all the difference.

Talk to an adult about what you are going through and ask them for help. It can be a teacher you feel comfortable with, the guidance counselor, your parents or any other adult you trust and will listen. Most adults are opposed to bullying behavior but if they don't know what's going on in your life, they can't help you.

Revenge is not the answer. When you try to get even with someone who has hurt you, you are feeding the cycle of revenge! Don't do it.

Here's what YOU can do, when you see aggression happening...

Aggressors love an audience!

Don't stand there and watch. Watching the drama unfold makes you a silent participant. Without meaning to, you are giving the bully all your power. The target is wondering why her friends are just standing there, watching, instead of helping her!

Tell an adult. Telling helps to get someone out of trouble; tattling gets someone in trouble. Helping someone when they need help, is the courageous thing to do.

Let the target know you support her. Face it, sometimes it's just too hard to do the right thing, even though you know you should. When you see the target later, let her know you think it was wrong what the aggressor did, you don't believe the lies, and it's not her who has the problem, it's the bully!

Build bridges. It's never fun to feel alone and disconnected from a group. When you have an opportunity to broaden your friendship circles, do it! Include others from school, from the activities you're involved in and the community where you live.

Get your friends involved. It's a lot easier to do the right thing when you know your friends have got your back. Talk about it and make a Sister's Pact. Agree you will all stand up and support each other and put an end to social bullying.

The Sisters’ R.A.P.*
Social Bullying Pact

We are sisters.
We are cool.
We don’t put down
or ridicule.

We are not mean.
We don’t attack.
We don’t say things
behind your back.

For we each follow our own North Star,
And we are cool with whom we are.
And when you’re cool with the one who’s you,
Then being good to others is what you do.

We are sisters.
We’re not rude.
We don’t do things
that will exclude.

I’ve got your back.
You’ve got my own.
We all make sure
we’re not alone.

For we each follow our own North Star,
And we are cool with whom we are.
And when you’re cool with the one who’s you,
Then being good to others is what you do.

So don’t you fear,
And don’t you fret,
Cause you can always
join our set.

Just like yourself
And others too,
And you’ll be proud
of the things you do.

And we’ll each follow our own North Star,
And we’ll be cool with whom we are.
And when you’re cool with the one who’s you,
Then being good to others is what you do.

(Pat Hickey, Volunteer, Critical Issues Committee)