School Bullying: Extent of legal Protections for Vulnerable Groups Needs to Be More Fully Assessed

Although definitions vary, including definitions used by federal agencies, many experts generally agree that bullying involves intent to cause harm, repetition, and an imbalance of power. The pioneering research of Dr. Dan Olweus in Norway has defined being bullied or victimized as when a student "is exposed, repeatedly and over time, to negative actions on the part of one or more other youths" with an intent to harm.4 3GAO, Results-Oriented Government: Practices That Can Help Enhance and Sustain Collaboration among Federal Agencies, Notably, bullying is distinct from general conflict or aggression, which can occur absent an imbalance of power or repetition.