Who could help prevent bullying?

A major programme to reduce bullying in schools has been developed in Norway. Adult involvement in this programme is seen as vital. It is claimed that if the programme is to succeed, adults in the school (and to some extent the home) must be aware of the bullying situation in the school and the majority must be committed to the anti-bullying work. The behaviour of all involved adults is also very important. They are called on to set clear and firm limits, in a positive, supportive environment (school or home).
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Article details

D Olweus, S Limber and S F Mihalic 'History and Description of the Bullying Prevention Program' in 'Blueprints for Violence Prevention', The Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence at the University of Colorado at Boulder, USA. This paper can be downloaded from here. Click on 'video segment' for an interesting video clip about the project.

The information in this paper was taken from D Olweus, S Limber and S F Mihalic (1999) 'Blueprints for Violence Prevention. Book Nine: Bullying Prevention Program', Boulder, CO: Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence.
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Author details

Professor Dan Olweus was the first person to carry out a thorough research project on bullying. This large, long term study which began in Sweden in 1970, was to provide the inspiration for many who felt that bullying in schools should be challenged rather than accepted. Since the 1970s, his work in this area had continued with force. Indeed, in 1997-99, he led a group in a large project which introduced the widely respected Olweus (anti-bullying) programme to schools in Norway. Professor Olweus is based at the Research Centre for Health Promotion, University of Bergen in Norway and can be contacted by email.
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