Bullying - A set of purposeful physical and emotional "actions" that have the potential to cause long-term damage, are carried out repeatedly, are intended to injure and involve an imbalance of power.

Why Children are Victimized

• Social Status
• Special Needs
• Viewed as "different"
• Sexual identity

Anyone can be victimized!

Best Practices in Bullying Prevention

• Focus on the school climate and involve all stakeholders
• Assess bullying and share findings to gain "buy in"
• Increase supervision and incorporate bullying prevention in the curriculum
• Formulate rules, policies, advisory committees and training
• Be consistent with intervention and consequences
• Regularly evaluate progress

What Students Say...

• One half of all students in the United States are bullied at some time during their school years.
• One in ten are bullied on a regular basis.
• U.S. students age 8 to 15 rank bullying as the biggest problem in their life.
• Loneliness, isolation, depression, and suicide are consequences of bullying.

American Medical Association

What Educators Say:

• 70% of educators were interested in receiving more professional development on bullying prevention
• 88% agreed that educators play a large role in bullying prevention
• 92% agreed that bullying is linked to bullying violence
• 64% agreed that bullying in their school negatively impacted academic achievement.

Kevorkian, M. (2007). Nova Southeastern University