- March 11, 2012
- Jennifer Salerno
RAAPS Question #6 Bullying
Bullying is unacceptable and preventable, yet it happens every day. Children and adolescents who are bullied are more likely than children who are not to be depressed, lonely, anxious, have low self-esteem, feel unwell, and think about suicide. Bullying also has a negative impact on other students at school who are bystanders to physical, verbal, and emotional violence. Bullying creates a climate of fear and disrespect in schools and has a negative impact on student learning. Studies show that between 15-25% of students in the U.S. are bullied with some frequency, while 15-20% report that they bully peers with some frequency.
Prevention is the key to reducing incidents and managing behaviors before they escalate. Intervention strategies are crucial to keep the school environment safe for students, faculty, and visitors. Using a valid and youth friendly tool to identify children and adolescents being bullied is the first step in positively changing lives.