Ratting vs Reporting

There’s a big difference between ratting and reporting

Most school playgrounds have unspoken “rules” about going to an adult for help. These rules aren’t written down anywhere, but most kids know that if you go to an adult you will be seen as a “snitch”, “tattletale” or “rat”. Who benefits from these rules? Kids who bully, of course! They want their behaviour to go unreported. They rely on these “rules” to stop you from telling.

There is a big difference between reporting and ratting or tattletaling. When students tattletale, they are often just trying to get someone in trouble and not looking to solve a problem or help a victim. But when students report, they know they need adult help to solve a problem and are looking for help to make sure that everyone at school is safe. When you report bullying, it’s to make the bulling stop, not get those bullying in trouble.

If you see bullying taking place, you might need to support the person being bullied in reporting or report the bullying yourself. You might be afraid, but having the courage to report bullying means you’ve taken your power back from those bullying. Keep telling adults you trust until something is done about it.

Educate your friends. Make a poster to show the difference between ratting and reporting. Ask your teacher if you can share it with the class or over the announcements. The more people know that it is okay to report bullying, the less bullying will occur. 

The truth is that bullying will never stop if no one stands up to those who bully, tries to help those being bullied or goes to an adult for help. If you go to an adult and they don’t believe you, find another adult you trust. Promise you will keep looking and asking for help until you find it.