1. What should Rachel do?
1.1. Occupational Therapist (OT), Rachel, sees a small group of eighth-grade boys twice a week. The boys in the group are athletes in the middle school who need to build up extra fine motor skills to prepare for their higher education and their future on the high school football team. One of the boys, Bobby, came in more timid than usual and would not partake in any group activities. He was not cracking the jokes that he used to, so Rachel began to question if everything was okay. The other kids in the group began to admit that one of their classmates, Timmy, was messing with Bobby during lunchtime. The group begins arguing if Bobby is "right" or "wrong" for being upset that Timmy keeps eating his lunch without asking. Many of the kids begin to side with Timmy and Bobby becomes visibly upset. When Rachel leaves the session, she hears a rumor that Mr. Biggins, the gym teacher and coach for middle school sports, was on lunch duty but did not diffuse the bullying behavior because the male students are known athletes in the community and will likely be playing sports in high school.
2. Code of Ethics
2.1. Core Values
2.1.1. Equality
2.1.1.1. Rachel should treat all people in the situation free of bias and look at the situation from the big picture to make a decision about what to do.
2.1.2. Prudence
2.1.2.1. Rachel should use clinical and ethical reasoning skills, sound judgement, and reflection to make the best bias-free decision for those in this situation.
2.1.3. Dignity
2.1.3.1. Rachel should treat all people in this situation with respect in all interactions. This will keep the ally relationship between them.
2.2. Ethical Principles
2.2.1. Beneficence
2.2.1.1. Principle 1.I. It may be in Bobby's best interest to be referred to another provider if he is truly being bullied.
2.2.1.2. Principle 1.J. Rachel should conduct research in accordance with ethical guidelines to determine potential risks and benefits that Bobby may be in during this situation.
2.2.2. Autonomy
2.2.2.1. Principle 3. A. Rachel must respect and honor Bobby's expressed wishes. If he trusts her enough to tell her what's going on, he must agree on the actions that Rachel is going to take.
2.2.2.2. Principle 3. D. Rachel must form a collaborative relationships with all of her clients, but having one with Bobby in this situation would be beneficial. He will trust her enough so they can share decisions about what to do.
2.2.3. Nonmaleficence
2.2.3.1. Principle 2.C. Rachel must report the bullying situation if she feels it might cause harm to the recipient of her service.
2.2.3.2. Principle 2.E. Rachel must address the practice she had the day Bobby was not actively participating and may report it to appropriate authorities. She has to let it be known that she saw a difference in Bobby's behavior, even if she is uncertain why.
3. What is bullying?
3.1. Repeated acts of intentional verbal or physical aggression characterized by an imbalance of power
4. Stakeholders
4.1. Rachel
4.1.1. may impact relationships for all; may help Bobby
4.2. Bobby
4.2.1. mental health is being impacted; can sever relationships for better or for worse
4.3. Timmy
4.3.1. may receive consequences; only a rumor?
4.4. Male student athletes in the small group
4.4.1. may impact reputation; may sever relationships
4.5. Mr. Biggins
4.5.1. may impact relationship with coworkers and students; may lose coaching position
4.6. Passerbyer
4.6.1. unknowingly involved; may sever relationships and lost trust; can help Bobby if it is true