NCJ Number
227422
Date Published
May 2009
Length
62 pages
Annotation
After presenting an overview of the problem of bullying in schools, this guide suggests ways to analyze the prevalence and features of bullying in a local community, followed by recommendations for how to respond to bullying in schools.
Abstract
The overview of bullying defines it as consisting of two key components: repeated harmful acts and an imbalance of power between the bully and his/her victim. Bullying can involve repeated physical, verbal, or psychological attacks or intimidation against a victim. Bullying is widespread in schools and is perhaps the most underreported safety problem on American school campuses. The overview also outlines the characteristics of bullies and bullying victims, with attention to chronic victims of bullying, as well as the consequences of bullying. Guidance is provided on the analysis of a local school's bullying problem. Critical questions that should be asked in such an analysis are listed. Issues that should be addressed include whether the school believes it has a bullying problem, whether the school is aware of the long-term harms of bullying and chronic victimization, and whether the school has a policy to guide teachers and other staff in handling bullying incidents. Other issues that should be analyzed pertain to bullies and their behaviors and victims and the nature of their victimization. A school should measure its bullying problem before any responses are implemented, not only to determine the severity of the problem, but also to provide a baseline for measuring any impact of adopted responses to bullying. The section on responses to bullying in school outline general requirements for an effective strategy to counter bullying, describes specific responses that can reduce bullying in schools, and notes responses that have had limited effectiveness. 38 references and appended summary of responses to bullying in schools and a sample letter that educates parents about bullying in schools