NCJ Number
209785
Journal
Journal of Emotional Abuse Volume: 4 Issue: 3/4 Dated: 2004 Pages: 225-239
Date Published
2004
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the characteristics of bullies and the impact of bullying on victims and describes and evaluates the No Bullying Allowed Here prevention program for elementary schools.
Abstract
Bullying is a serious problem affecting students nationwide with up to 15 percent reporting regular bullying. Research indicates that bullies use a variety of negative actions, such as physical attacks or threats, verbal abuse, and forms of social isolation known as relational aggression. Victims of bullies suffer not only the immediate harm of hurt feelings, embarrassment, and physical injury, but also are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression, have lowered academic scores due to concentration problems, and may avoid school altogether. In addition, some victimized children are shown to engage in a type of aggressive behavior. The No Bullying Allowed Here Program was developed for use in grades 3-5 and presents the basic concepts of bullying and strategies for responding to it through the use of lecture, demonstration, role-playing, cooperative groups, and discussion. A critical aspect of the program is helping students learn to speak and listen to each other. Results of a study on the effectiveness of the program indicate that the program shows a significant effect on the incidence of bullying behavior at the school site with positive and encouraging comments received from both staff and some parents. Students report far less bullying and fear about being bullied after instruction in prevention techniques. References