Bullying: Prevention & Intervention
Action Planning
Tim Lewis, Ph.D.
University of Missouri
OSEP Center on Positive
Behavioral Intervention & Supports
www.pbis.org
Bullying Defined
“A student is being bullied or victimized when he
or she is exposed, repeatedly and over time,
to negative actions on the part of one or more
other students” (Elliott, 2002)
Types of Bullying
1.
2.
3.
4.
Physical
Verbal
Emotional
Sexual
Harassment
Illegal act when an individual is verbally or
nonverbally taunted and demeaned in relation to
certain attributes such as gender, race or ethnicity,
religion, and/or sexual orientation
Teasing
• Most teasing among 8-10 year olds is mean spirited
• Friendly, acceptable teasing appears more characteristic among
adolescents
• Teasing among boys typically includes themes of intimidation, power,
control, etc.
• Teasing among girls typically involves themes of social cruelty, deception,
hurt feelings, being left out
• Some teasing is deliberate – some set up by spontaneous/accidental
circumstance
• Everyone is teased at some point – others are often targeted
–
–
–
–
Overreacting to teasing
Being atypical
Having atypical physical or behavioral attributes
Being socially or athletically unskilled
• Most teasing is done by groups to an individual
(Walker, Ramsey, & Gesham, 2004)
Teasing
• Teasing among friends is sometimes o.k. while teasing strangers is not
• Physical size is a major factor among boys
• Adaptive responses to teasing include:
– Ignoring
– Asking them to stop
– Leaving the situation
• Maladaptive responses to teasing include:
–
–
–
–
–
Teasing back
Name calling
Getting mad
Crying, hitting or tantrum
Threats
• 8-10 year olds have firm belief in their effectiveness to stop teasing, but in
actually have no effect or make it worse
(Walker, Ramsey, & Gesham, 2004)
Bullies and Peers
• Perpetrator
• Victim
• Bystander - do not directly participate but
reinforce the bully
• Non-participant - do not participate, simply
present, but take no action to prevent
Victims
• Passive-submissive – anxious, fearful,
withdrawn, bully reinforced by occasioning
the behavior
• Provocative – display annoying and aggressive
responses & thereby inadvertently reinforce
the bully
Gender Differences
• Boys = “direct” physical / verbal intimidation
• Girls = “indirect” gossip and rumors
• Males = larger numbers of both bullies and
victims
Bullys
Victims
Individual
Impulsive, dominant, lacks empathy
Positive attitude toward violence
Difficulty conforming to rules
Physical strength (males)
Gradual decrease in academic
achievement
Assume leadership roles in core groups of
peers (female)
More likely to bring weapons to school
(52% males, 30% females)
70% report weapons outside of school
Cautious, insecure
Difficulty asserting themselves among
peers
Physical weakness (males)
Increase likelihood to carry weapons to
school (36% males, 15% females)
Family
Lack of parental involvement
Overly-permissive
Harsh discipline
Lack of parental supervision
Peer
Friends/peers with positive attitudes
toward violence
Exposure to models of bullying
Lack of close friends
School
Lack of supervision
Indifferent attitude toward bullying
Presence of aggressive students
Lack of supervision
Indifferent attitude toward bullying
Outcomes of bullying
• Short term
– Bully - reinforced – increases future bullying
– Victim - somatic symptoms, fearful, avoidance
• Long term
– Bully
• 60% grades 6-9 had been convicted of an aggressive crime in
adulthood
• More likely to be violent (Nansel et al, 2004).
• More likely to have children who bully
– Victim
• depression, poor self esteem, suicide, school drop out
• Ostracized by peers
Recommendations
From the Field
Recommended strategies for Teachers (U.S.
Department of Education, 1998)
• Provide students with opportunities to talk about bullying
• Involve students in establishing classroom rules against bullying
• Provide classroom activities and discussion around the harmful effects of
bullying
• Develop a plan to ensure students know what to do if they observe bullying
• Teach cooperation/compromise social skills
• Take immediate action when bullying observed/reported
• Confront bullies in private
• Notify parents of both the bully and victim – seek to resolve the conflict at
school
• Refer both bully and victim to counselor if appropriate
• Provide protection for victims (e.g, buddy system)
• Listen to parents who report or express concerns about bullying and
investigate immediately
• Avoid attempts to mediate in bullying situations – power imbalance in the
bully dynamic precludes this from happening
Bully Prevention Keys
• School & home that is characterized as “warm” but
sets firm limits for unacceptable behavior
• When violations occur, non-hostile, nonphysical
sanctions be consistently applied
• Careful monitoring of student activities
• Adults should act as responsible authorities during
all adult-child interactions, especially when bullying
occurs
Bully Intervention Basics
• Bully - discourage / appropriate sanctions
• Victim – teach strategies to appropriately
avoid/escape situations that involve bullying & place
in activities in which they can succeed to boost
confidence
By-standers – make them aware of their supporting
role and discourage them
Non-participants – teach them to discourage bullying
and to not show approval if observed
Action Planning
Start with Your Data
Is Bullying a Problem
• Student Data
– Problem
– Scared
– How often
– Types
• Staff Data
– Problem
– Types & Frequency
Have you ever seen someone bullied in our school?
100.0%
90.0%
85.1%
80.0%
70.0%
60.0%
50.0%
40.0%
30.0%
20.0%
14.9%
10.0%
0.0%
No
Yes
How often are people bullied in our school?
100.0%
90.0%
80.0%
70.0%
60.0%
50.4%
50.0%
40.0%
30.0%
23.4%
18.6%
20.0%
10.0%
4.6%
0.0%
Never
Sometime
Often
Every Day
What have bullies done at school?
100.0%
90.0%
87.8%
80.0%
70.0%
60.0%
52.2%
50.0%
46.4%
43.9%
40.0%
33.5%
30.0%
20.0%
10.0%
0.0%
Called Names
Threatened
Stole
Hit
Ignore
How much of a problem is bullying at our school?
100.0%
90.0%
80.0%
70.0%
60.0%
50.7%
50.0%
40.0%
30.0%
23.4%
21.0%
21.0%
20.0%
10.0%
0.0%
Very Much
A Little
Not Much
None
I have felt scared in my school.
100.0%
90.0%
80.0%
69.8%
70.0%
60.0%
50.0%
40.0%
30.0%
26.2%
20.0%
10.0%
2.4%
0.0%
All the Time
Sometimes
Never
How often does bullying occur in our school?
70.00%
60.34%
60.00%
50.00%
Frequency
40.00%
32.76%
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
6.90%
0.00%
0.00%
monthly
weekly
daily
several times daily
How much of a problem is bullying at our school?
60.00%
53.45%
50.00%
41.38%
Frequency
40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
1.72%
0.00%
0.00%
very much
a little
not much
none
Physical Bullying
45.00%
39.66%
40.00%
35.00%
34.48%
Frequency
30.00%
25.00%
20.00%
17.24%
15.00%
10.00%
5.00%
3.45%
0.00%
Daily
Weekly
Monthly
Rare/seldom
Verbal Bullying
100.00%
90.00%
89.66%
80.00%
70.00%
Frequency
60.00%
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
3.45%
1.72%
1.72%
Monthly
Rare/seldom
0.00%
Daily
Weekly
Sexual Bullying
35.00%
31.03%
30.00%
25.00%
24.14%
20.00%
Frequency
18.97%
15.00%
13.79%
10.00%
5.00%
0.00%
Daily
Weekly
Monthly
Rare/seldom
Cyber Bullying
40.00%
37.93%
35.00%
30.00%
27.59%
Frequency
25.00%
20.00%
15.00%
10.34%
10.00%
5.17%
5.00%
0.00%
Daily
Weekly
Monthly
Rare/seldom
Gossip/Rumor Bullying
120.00%
100.00%
96.55%
Frequency
80.00%
60.00%
40.00%
20.00%
13.79%
1.72%
0.00%
0.00%
Daily
Weekly
Monthly
Rare/seldom
Exclusion Bullying
80.00%
75.86%
70.00%
60.00%
Frequency
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
15.52%
10.00%
1.72%
1.72%
Monthly
Rare/seldom
0.00%
Daily
Weekly
Are There High Risk Settings
• Student & Staff Location
Where does bullying happen at our school?
100.0%
90.0%
78.1%
80.0%
70.0%
66.1%
67.3%
60.0%
50.0%
48.7%
38.4%
40.0%
30.0%
20.0%
16.9%
15.7%
10.0%
0.0%
Classroom
Playground
Bathroom
Walking to School
Hallway
Cafeteria
Bus
Where does bullying happen at our school?
100.00%
94.83%
93.10%
93.10%
90.00%
82.76%
80.00%
70.69%
70.00%
Frequency
60.00%
56.90%
50.00%
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
Classroom
Hallway
Playground
Cafeteria
Bathrooms
Bus
Walking to School
Where Do Student Seek Help
• Who
• Have they contacted an adult
Who do you feel you could go to if you were bullied?
100.0%
90.0%
80.0%
73.6%
67.6%
70.0%
60.7%
60.3%
60.0%
47.5%
50.0%
38.4%
40.0%
30.0%
20.0%
10.0%
0.0%
My Teacher
Any Teacher
Principal
Counselor
Family
Friend
Where Do Adults Perceive Students
Seek Help
• Who
• Most likely
Who would a victim go to?
90.00%
79.31%
80.00%
74.14%
68.97%
70.00%
58.62%
Frequency
60.00%
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
18.97%
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
Teacher
Principal
Counselor
Family
Friend
Comments
• 60 students commented that they see bullying
in gym, P.E., and the locker room
• “I felt embarrassed. I really didn't want to be
in that situation”
• “I hate it, it hurts me a lot!!!!”
• “No one does anything enough to stop them
anyway. There is too much of it.”
Comments
• “Not enough enforcement of the rules so
more bullying is done.”
• “Sometimes grown-ups don't understand or
you can't tell them what you are going
through because you are afraid they will get
mad at you.”
• “When there is bullying going on in the
classroom some of the teachers see it and
they hear but they don't do anything”
Interventions
•
•
•
•
Staff aware of District policy & procedures
Top 5 strategies would use
5 Strategies would not use
Other strategies listed
Does your district have a policy to deal with bullying?
70.00%
65.52%
60.00%
50.00%
Frequency
40.00%
32.76%
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
0.00%
Yes
No
Unsure
I would advise the victim to assertively stand up to the bully
45.0%
40.0%
40.0%
35.0%
30.0%
25.0%
22.2%
20.0%
20.0%
15.0%
13.3%
10.0%
4.4%
5.0%
0.0%
Definitely Would
Probably Would
Not Sure
Probably Would Not
Definitely Would Not
I would tell the bully to stop
100.0%
90.0%
88.0%
80.0%
70.0%
60.0%
50.0%
40.0%
30.0%
20.0%
10.0%
6.0%
6.0%
0.0%
0.0%
Probably Would Not
Definitely Would Not
0.0%
Definitely Would
Probably Would
Not Sure
I would help them resolve their differences
45.0%
40.8%
40.0%
35.0%
30.6%
30.0%
24.5%
25.0%
20.0%
15.0%
10.0%
4.1%
5.0%
0.0%
0.0%
Definitely Would
Probably Would
Not Sure
Probably Would Not
Definitely Would Not
I would treat the matter lightly
50.0%
46.0%
45.0%
42.0%
40.0%
35.0%
30.0%
25.0%
20.0%
15.0%
10.0%
8.0%
5.0%
2.0%
2.0%
Definitely Would
Probably Would
0.0%
Not Sure
Probably Would Not
Definitely Would Not
I would advise the victim to stay away from the bully
60.0%
53.2%
50.0%
40.0%
31.9%
30.0%
20.0%
14.9%
10.0%
0.0%
0.0%
Probably Would Not
Definitely Would Not
0.0%
Definitely Would
Probably Would
Not Sure
I would make sure the bully was punished
60.0%
50.0%
47.9%
40.0%
30.0%
27.1%
20.8%
20.0%
10.0%
4.2%
0.0%
0.0%
Definitely Would
Probably Would
Not Sure
Probably Would Not
Definitely Would Not
I would convene a meeting
45.0%
42.0%
40.0%
35.0%
30.0%
28.0%
25.0%
20.0%
18.0%
15.0%
10.0%
10.0%
5.0%
2.0%
0.0%
Definitely Would
Probably Would
Not Sure
Probably Would Not
Definitely Would Not
I would help the bully achieve greater self-esteem
40.0%
38.0%
35.0%
34.0%
30.0%
25.0%
20.0%
15.0%
14.0%
12.0%
10.0%
5.0%
2.0%
0.0%
Definitely Would
Probably Would
Not Sure
Probably Would Not
Definitely Would Not
I would encourage the victim to make more friends
40.0%
35.0%
34.0%
30.0%
25.0%
24.0%
20.0%
20.0%
15.0%
12.0%
10.0%
10.0%
5.0%
0.0%
Definitely Would
Probably Would
Not Sure
Probably Would Not
Definitely Would Not
I would make it clear to the bully that his/her behavior will not be
tolerated
100.0%
90.0%
89.8%
80.0%
70.0%
60.0%
50.0%
40.0%
30.0%
20.0%
10.2%
10.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
Not Sure
Probably Would Not
Definitely Would Not
0.0%
Definitely Would
Probably Would
I would leave it for someone else to sort out
40.0%
38.0%
36.0%
35.0%
30.0%
25.0%
20.0%
18.0%
15.0%
10.0%
5.0%
4.0%
4.0%
Definitely Would
Probably Would
0.0%
Not Sure
Probably Would Not
Definitely Would Not
I would share my concerns with the bully and ask him to behave
more caring
40.0%
35.0%
34.0%
34.0%
30.0%
25.0%
20.0%
18.0%
15.0%
10.0%
10.0%
5.0%
4.0%
0.0%
Definitely Would
Probably Would
Not Sure
Probably Would Not
Definitely Would Not
I would seperate the bully and the victim
60.0%
50.0%
50.0%
42.0%
40.0%
30.0%
20.0%
10.0%
4.0%
4.0%
0.0%
0.0%
Definitely Would
Probably Would
Not Sure
Probably Would Not
Definitely Would Not
Suggest that the victim not show that he/she is bothered
30.0%
28.0%
28.0%
26.0%
25.0%
20.0%
15.0%
12.0%
10.0%
6.0%
5.0%
0.0%
Definitely Would
Probably Would
Not Sure
Probably Would Not
Definitely Would Not
I would call the bully's parent
45.0%
40.0%
38.8%
34.7%
35.0%
30.0%
25.0%
20.0%
15.0%
12.2%
10.2%
10.0%
4.1%
5.0%
0.0%
Definitely Would
Probably Would
Not Sure
Probably Would Not
Definitely Would Not
I would let the students sort it out
70.0%
60.8%
60.0%
50.0%
40.0%
30.0%
20.0%
17.6%
17.6%
Not Sure
Probably Would Not
10.0%
3.9%
0.0%
0.0%
Definitely Would
Probably Would
Definitely Would Not
Discuss with the bully options to remedy the situation without
bullying
45.0%
40.0%
40.0%
35.0%
30.0%
26.0%
26.0%
25.0%
20.0%
15.0%
10.0%
6.0%
5.0%
2.0%
0.0%
Definitely Would
Probably Would
Not Sure
Probably Would Not
Definitely Would Not
I would find the bullying something more interesting to do
50.0%
44.0%
45.0%
40.0%
35.0%
30.0%
25.0%
20.0%
18.0%
18.0%
15.0%
12.0%
10.0%
8.0%
5.0%
0.0%
Definitely Would
Probably Would
Not Sure
Probably Would Not
Definitely Would Not
Action Plan
1. Replacement behaviors for noted types of
bullying behavior
– Linkage to school-wide/class-wide set of
expectation
2. Lesson plans/teaching strategies (with
schedule)
Action Plan
3. Supervision of high risk locations
– Current supervision/ needed resources
– Training & support
4. Strategies for “victims”
5. Instructional strategies & consequences for
bullying
– Instruction
– Environmental supports
– Consequences
Implement and Monitor
• Current Data collection captures bullying?
– Office referral
– Student/staff report