NCJ Number
164001
Journal
Child Abuse Review Volume: 5 Issue: 2 Dated: (May 1996) Pages: 123-127
Date Published
1996
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This study examined the backgrounds and characteristics of the perpetrators and victims of bullying in a British juvenile residential center, and suggestions are offered for preventing bullying.
Abstract
On June 30, 1995, there were 25 juveniles residing at the Glenthorne Secure Centre (20 males and 5 females). Fourteen of these residents (56 percent) were at risk of bullying their peers. The same 14 and an additional 5 residents were also at risk of violent assaults and threats to peers and staff. Fifty- two percent of the youths had previous histories of violent assault. Those who bullied others on the units were significantly more likely to have come from broken homes with separated parents and to have committed violent crimes. All of the bullies on the units had a history of aggression, fighting, and bullying in their previous schools, and 1 in 5 had also been victims of bullying. All of the 11 victims who were bullied on the unit but never bullied others (victims only), had a history of being bullied at their previous schools and had a history of alcohol abuse; however, these youths were significantly less likely to have committed vandalism, although they were just as likely to commit other crimes such as theft and burglary. Suggestions are offered for helping bullies change their behavior and for assisting victims in developing ways to reduce the risk of victimization. Suggestions for the institution include reducing the use of threats, intimidation, and humiliation by staff in managing residents, while promoting reward systems to control behavior. 1 table, 1 figure, and 6 references