Bullying Concerns?

We take safety very seriously at Victory. Bullying is not accepted nor tolerated. While we cannot guarantee that students will never be bullied, but we can promise that we will always fully investigate and take steps to make the situation better for all students involved.

Click here for the PWCS Code of Behavior.
(Bullying information on page 26 and Bullying Complaint Form on page 27)


Below is an excerpt from the PWCS Code of Behavior:

BULLYING OF STUDENTS IS NOT PERMITTED
Each school is committed to creating an environment in which students are free from bullying. Students are strongly encouraged to report incidents to the school administration. The school administrator will take appropriate steps to respond quickly and decisively to student reports of bullying. Students may use the form on page 28 to report incidents of bullying. The Bullying Complaint Form is also located in the guidance department or main office.

Q: What is bullying?
A: 'Bullying' means any aggressive and unwanted behavior that is intended to harm, intimidate, or humiliate the victim;involves a real or perceived power imbalance between the aggressor or aggressors and victim; and is repeated over time or causes severe emotional trauma. 'Bullying' includes cyber bullying. 'Bullying' does not include ordinary teasing, horseplay, argument, or peer conflict."

Q: What behaviors are considered to be bullying behaviors?
A: Some examples of bullying behaviors include purposely not including people, taunts, threats, gestures, insults, gossip, humiliation, teasing, cyberbullying, horseplay, pushing, tripping, hitting, stealing or destroying property, cursing, and laughing at others based on their appearance, academic or athletic ability, or any other reason. There are many different ways that bullying happens. Sometimes it's just people making other people feel left out. Other times it's hitting, teasing, or threatening to hurt someone. Stealing or bothering someone's lunch or books is bullying,too, and so is laughing at someone because they wear glasses or different kinds of clothes, or because they aren't good at sports. Using the Internet or computers to harm people is another form of bullying. Other harmful behaviors can be bullying, too.

Q: How can I report bullying?
A: Any student can report bullying by talking to an administrator or staff member, or completing the Bullying Complaint Form on page 28. Staff members must report your complaint to the school administration. This information should also be shared with your parent(s)/guardian(s).

Q: What should I do if the bullying continues?
A: Report this to a school administrator or staff member immediately. It is also important to tell your parent(s)/guardian(s) that the bullying is continuing. Administrators will take disciplinary action up to and including expulsion if the student accused of bullying attempts to get back at the victim for reporting his/her bullying behavior.

Q: Are there immediate actions that I can take if I am bullied?
A: Yes. These actions include:
  •  Telling the bully very firmly to stop.
  •  Keep written notes of dates, times, places, witness names and other information about any incident of bullying.
  •  Talking with a staff member, counselor, administrator or parent about the incident immediately.

BULLYING BEHAVIORS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED IN PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, ON SCHOOL GROUNDS, OR AT SCHOOL-RELATED ACTIVITIES.