Bullying Intervention

Bullying amongst school-aged children (ages 14-18) has increased significantly over the past 15 years. A study examining bullying found that 13% of the students said others physically bullied them- hit, kicked, pushed or locked them indoors. Approximately a third of students said others called them names, made fun of them, or teased them in a hurtful way. Although bullying behavior declines, as children get older it is still a prevalent problem among middle school and high school students (Klomek, Marrocco, Kleinman, Schonfeld &Gould, 2007). Students, who were involved in bullying behavior, were at significantly higher risk for depression, serious suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts compared with students who never victimizes or bullies

Several intervention programs have been implemented all over the world and have shown considerable success. Young et al. (2009) revealed the process and outcomes of the bullying intervention Program, targeting 7th and 8th graders. The dosage of the bullying prevention program consisted of one 40-minute class per week over the course of 3 years. Four school counselors conducted this program during physical education. The counselors objectives were to lower the instances of bullying, educate the students on what to do if they witness bullying and increase the teachers presence in the halls in between classes (Young et al., 2009). Class discussions involved identifying and expressing feelings, distinguishing between appropriate and inappropriate behavior, understanding the need for self control, respecting alternative points of view and developing effective coping skills (young et al., 2009). The counselors also integrated an anonymous bullying-reporting website for all students to access. An administrator regularly monitored the web site and addressed students concerns (Young et al., 2009). The program also focused on the importance of the bystander in a bullying situation by breaking the class up into small groups to present a skit on how they would handle the situation. After

“Data collected in year one found that 86% of all students had been bullied and 95% of 7th graders and 72% of 8th graders reported that they possessed limited or no strategies to use if bullied. Of even greater concern, 85% of 7th grader and 82% of 8th graders would not tell an adult including parents, if they were being bullied” (young et al., 2009). After the 3rd year the post survey revealed, “year two 7th graders reported that 47% had never been bullied since entering middle school. Seventy- seven percent of 7th graders and 64% of 8th graders reported that they would tell an adult at the school if they were being bullied” (Young et al., 2009). The results show that the bullying intervention program has had a positive effect on the children involved. The students display skills on how to deal with the situation of someone being bullied and that notifying an adult is best way to handle it. The responses from the anti bullying website also displayed an increase of trust and usage of the site by the