There are several bullying intervention programs that have been successfully implemented in schools across the world. Below is an overview for each of 3 research-based, proven effective programs.
1. The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program
- designed for students ages 5-15
- school-wide, classroom-level, and individual interventions
- first steps to implement this program would be to form a Bullying Prevention Coordinating Committee and conduct staff training sessions
- students complete questionnaire to give information about bullying at school
- anti-bullying rules are implemented in each classroom and staff members are to address bullying situations on the spot
- class meetings are regularly held to discuss bullying and promote a more safe, positive environment
- goals of the program include preventing future bullying, reducing existing bullying, and improving peer relations
- schools who implemented this program reported reductions of at least 50% in self-reported bullying
- research-based intervention that was developed at University of Turku in Finland
- designed for students in 3rd - 6th grade
- program focuses on teaching social-emotional skills to combat bullying
- students receive 60 minutes of weekly instruction over a 12-14 week period
- at the end of the program, teachers implement a grade-appropriate literature unit to provide examples of bullying-related themes
- parent engagement is encouraged and optional activities are sent home to families
- when compared to a control group, studies of schools who implemented the program found that students and teachers were more responsive to bullying and social interactions were more positive
- consists of three units: 6-9 years of age, 10-12 years of age, and 13-16 years of age
- includes both universal and indicated actions
- universal actions - the curriculum that is presented to all students; focuses on bullying prevention
- indicated actions - support geared towards students who have been involved in bullying (bullies, victims, and bystanders)
- program comes with materials such as a teacher handbook, games for students, and a parents' guide
- In a random sample, there was a 55% reduction of bullying occurrences in primary schools and a 40% reduction in secondary schools
- this program has been effective in several European countries, but has yet to gain popularity in the U.S.