About the Anonymous Bullying Reporting Tool
This tool is not meant to replace urgent or emergency services. If you are in an urgent or emergency situation, please call 911, contact Here 24/7 (1-844-437-3247) or go to your nearest hospital.
At the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB), our staff are committed to preventing and resolving bullying, both in person and online.
Bullying is a form of abuse at the hands of peers that takes many different forms at different ages.
The Anonymous Bullying Reporting Tool is available to WRDSB students to report safety concerns related to bullying for themselves or on behalf of another student. This is one pathway, among many, available to students to report a health, well-being or safety concern.
The Anonymous Bullying Reporting Tool is not meant to replace school supports available, but rather to provide an option for students. Students are encouraged to continue to reach out to their teachers, principal or other school staff when in need of assistance.
Students can expect to receive a response to their report in approximately two (2) school days if they share their contact information while submitting a report.
FAQ
What should I do if I am in (or someone I know is in) immediate danger of harm?
Your safety is important to us. This is not a crisis or emergency service.
If you believe that you are in (or someone you know is in) immediate danger of harm:
- call 911;
- contact Here 24/7 (1-844-437-3247); or
- go to your nearest hospital
What is bullying?
“Bullying” means aggressive and typically repeated behaviour by a pupil where,
- the behaviour is intended by the pupil to have the effect of, or the pupil ought to know that the behaviour would be likely to have the effect of,
- causing harm, fear or distress to another individual, including physical, psychological, social or academic harm, harm to the individual’s reputation or harm to the individual’s property, or
- creating a negative environment at a school for another individual, and
- the behaviour occurs in a context where there is a real or perceived power imbalance between the pupil and the individual based on factors such as:
- size
- strength
- age
- intelligence
- peer group power
- economic status
- social status
- religion
- ethnic origin
- sexual orientation
- family circumstances
- gender
- gender identity
- gender expression
- race
- disability
- the receipt of special education
For the purposes of the definition of “bullying”, behaviour includes the use of any physical, verbal, electronic, written or other means.
How do I get help with bullying at school?
Ask a teacher, guidance counsellor, coach, vice-principal, principal or any other trusted adult in the school for help.
You may ask to make an appointment with your guidance counsellor, vice-principal or principal. If you prefer, you can approach your teacher before or after class and ask to speak to them in private.
Who can use the Anonymous Bullying Reporting Tool?
The Anonymous Bullying Reporting Tool can be used by any student to report occurrences of bullying in Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) schools.
What information should I include in my report?
When making a report, please include as much information as you can to help us effectively investigate. The Anonymous Bullying Reporting Tool will give you the opportunity to include text, documents, images or anything else that you think may be relevant.
Can I make an anonymous report?
Yes, you can report anonymously should you choose to do so.
What will happen to my report once it is received?
A preliminary assessment will be completed by the Safe & Healthy Schools team at the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB). If your report contains sufficient information, it will be assigned to school administration. School administration will investigate and take action in alignment with WRDSB procedures.
If you shared your contact information while submitting the report, you can expect to receive a response to your report in approximately two (2) school days.
