When a child reports bullying
Start with listening, reassurance, and the child's sense of safety before trying to solve everything at once.
Read federal guidanceResources
Source-linked starting points for caregivers, educators, and community members. Choose the question that is closest to what you need right now.
Find a starting pointListen first, focus on safety, and work with the adults and organizations responsible for following through.
Start with listening, reassurance, and the child's sense of safety before trying to solve everything at once.
Read federal guidanceUse the official reporting path, keep a clear record, and understand how to escalate if the school does not act.
Use the Louisiana guideUse calm, open questions and make sure a child knows they are not alone or to blame.
Find conversation promptsDifficult experiences affect children differently. Notice changes, create safety, and involve qualified support when concerns persist.
Learn how trauma reactions may interfere with learning or behavior and how schools can respond without asking educators to diagnose.
Visit NCTSN school resourcesUnderstand why an event, a series of events, or ongoing circumstances can affect people differently.
Read SAMHSA's overviewBring practical, age-aware discussion about connection, coping, bullying, and confidence to your community.
Explore speaking experiencesThese resources are educational and cannot assess an individual child or replace medical, mental health, legal, school-system, or emergency guidance.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. For suicide or mental health crisis support in the United States, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.
Last reviewed: September 14, 2026. Sources: Louisiana Department of Education, StopBullying.gov, SAMHSA, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.