Examines the phenomenon of bullying, a form of violence between children that often occurs away from adults or in front of adults who fail to intercede, and highlights one effective intervention program. Bullying involves negative acts carried out repeatedly over time and can be physical, such as hitting or take personal possessions; verbal, such as taunting or making threats; or psychological, such as spreading rumors or engaging in extortion. The victims of bullying can suffer loss of self-esteem and are at greater risk for mental health problems into adulthood, while those who bully are likely to engage in other forms of antisocial behavior and to become involved in criminal behavior later in life. Programs to address what can be the beginning of generally antisocial and rule-breaking behavior must reduce the opportunities and rewards for bullying. The strategy behind the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program is to involve school staff, students, and parents in efforts to raise awareness about bullying, improve peer relationships, intervene to stop intimidation, develop clear rules against bullying behavior, and support and protect victims. Evaluated in Bergen, Norway, in the mid-1980s, the Olweus program accounted for a 50 percent or greater drop in bullying over 2 years.
