Direct From the Field: A Guide to Bullying Prevention

Evidence-based research gleaned from respected institutions, media reports, and the hallways of our nation's schools all point to the same truth: Bullying has devastating effects. Just a quick look at statistics reveals the depth of the problem:-- Analysis of high-profile school shootings such as Santana, Columbine, and Virginia Tech reveals that that up to 71 percent involved attacker(s) who felt bullied, persecuted, attacked, or injured.--Around 160,000 school children stay home from school each day out of fear, often without telling their parents why.-- Children targeted by bullies experience higher than normal levels of insecurity, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and physical and mental symptoms.-- Adults who were bullies as children have higher rates of substance abuse, domestic violence, and other violent crimes.-- The percentage of students who report being bullied rose 50% from 1983 to 2003.In short, bullying is an act that cannot be ignored if we are to safeguard our nation's schools and young people.