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What is Bullying?
Bullying is when one child or a
group of children hurts another child deliberately through words or actions
repeatedly.
Bullying behaviors may involve
physical aggression, such as hitting and shoving, and verbal aggression, such
as name calling, teasing and threatening.
Bullying may also be more subtle,
such as ignoring someone and deliberately excluding them from the group,
telling lies and spreading rumors.
Some of the most vicious acts of
bullying occur on the internet.
How Can We
Distinguish Bullying from Teasing or Rough-and-Tumble Play
?
Bullying involves an imbalance of
power. It usually occurs between people who are not friends. The general
atmosphere is one of intimidation and it is difficult for the student being
bullied to defend himself or herself.
Why Focus on
Bullying?
Bullying can have lifelong
consequences for both bullies and victims. It affects the entire school
climate. Even students who are neither the bully nor the victim but who
witness repeated bullying can become fearful and feel that the adults are not
in control or are uncaring.
Victims of bullying may experience
low self-esteem that remains until adulthood. While the bullying is occurring
they may exhibit physical problems, school phobia and symptoms of depression.
School performance may decrease.
Children who bully very often become
adults who bully. One study found that 60% of chronic bullies had an arrest
record in their early twenties. Bullying behavior is linked with other
anti-social behaviors such as fighting, vandalism, drug and alcohol abuse and
developing gang alliances.
Ultimately, a
Question of Rights . . .
All children have the right to a
school environment where they feel safe and can learn to the best of their
abilities.
History of Bullying
Prevention
The Bullying Prevention Program,
developed by Dr. Dan Olweus, was part of a
nationwide campaign against bully/victim problems in Norway in the
1970s. In the early nineties, in response to school violence and juvenile
homicide in the United States,
the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence at the University of Colorado
chose the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program as one
of ten “Blueprint” programs which they described as “truly outstanding” and
effective.
Holcomb became involved in
bullying prevention in 2001 when Carolyn Falcone
was trained by Dr. Olweus and his team, and piloted
this program in two school districts. These schools and others have enjoyed
the positive benefits that increase over time.
Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems
is an active member of the Pennsylvania Bullying Prevention Network.
Olweus
Bullying Prevention is now recognized as a model program by the Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Office of
Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention.
Proven Results
According to the SAMHSA website,
the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program has achieved
the following results:
- A 30% to 70% reduction in student reports of being
bullied and bullying others
- Significant reductions in student reports of general
antisocial behavior
- Significant improvements in classroom order and
discipline
- More positive attitude toward schoolwork and school.
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