What are the best ways of tackling bullying in school?

It has been suggested that one way of tackling bullying in schools is to focus and work on the behaviour and role of not just the bully and victim, but of all those pupils who are around when bullying takes place. These could be pupils who are directly encouraging the aggressive behaviour, those who are standing back and letting it happen and those who are actively trying to stop it. The children are given information about how groups operate and are encouraged to look at their own behaviour and role within the group, and to consider if it might somehow be encouraging the bully. Through role-play and drama (possibly using peer helpers) they can explore the feelings of those involved and develop assertiveness techniques to help them take a stand against bullying. It has been suggested that peer helpers could also be important as counsellors, who would offer support to the victims and encourage all those involved to say no to the bullies.
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Article details

C Salmivalli (1999) 'Participant Role Approach to School Bullying: implications for interventions' in 'Journal of Adolescence', Volume 22, pages 453-459.
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Author details

Dr Christian Salmivalli works at the Department of Psychology in the University of Turku, Finland. Her research interests include aggression in children and young people, bullying in school and interventions to prevent it and also self-esteem and social skills.

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