NCJ Number
194464
Date Published
2001
Length
29 pages
Annotation
This paper evaluates a violence prevention program directed at elementary school students.
Abstract
For purposes of this study, bullying is defined as "unwanted words or physical actions that make a person feel bad." The Expect Respect program uses a prevention model that addresses social acceptance of bullying among students and school staff. Its primary goal is improving peer relationships and communication skills among students. It attempts to help bullies understand the boundaries between appropriate and inappropriate behavior and to teach targets of bullying skills for responding to such behavior. Forty volunteer students participated in the study, a 30-60 minute semi-structured interview by trained interviewers. Interview questions included: (1) How would you describe people who do or say things that hurt other people's feelings a lot? What are some of their characteristics? (2) What does "bullying" mean to you? (3) What does "teasing" mean to you? (4) If a kid does something that makes another kid feel bad, does it make a difference to you if he or she was actually trying to make the other kid feel bad? (5) Do you think bullying is a problem in schools in general? and (6) What do you think should be done about bullying in schools? In conclusion, the paper notes that students perceive a need for forums that allow them to discuss bullying. The students also state that adults need to pay attention to bullies--either educate them or punish them. Tables, references, appendix