| Virginia schools students recently have returned to | | | | they are tough. They defy authority, do not conform to |
| school. Along with the studies and coursework they | | | | rules, have a positive attitude toward violence, and |
| expected to face, they have a new program with | | | | have poor conflict-resolution skills. Many times, bullies |
| which to deal - a bullying prevention program. | | | | are children from abusive families - but not always. |
| Bullies are prevalent in all schools today. It has been a | | | | The Virginia schools are determined to stop the abuse |
| growing problem for the past decade. The emotional | | | | in their schools. They have teamed with the Virginia |
| trauma experienced by victims of bullying is, in some | | | | Department of Health and Virginia Commonwealth |
| cases, beyond belief. The results of bullying, both upon | | | | University to implement the Olweus Bully Prevention |
| the victim and the bully, also are significant. We have | | | | Program, which began this fall. The program is funded |
| seen some of these results in our news headlines - | | | | by a grant of $290,615 from the U.S. Centers for |
| shootings at schools, suicides, self-mutilation through | | | | Disease Control and Prevention for each of the three |
| cutting, depression and extreme emotional distress - | | | | years the program will run, between 2006 and 2009. |
| and these only the victims. Bullies, many times, develop | | | | The Olweus Program was first used throughout |
| very serious violent behavior with many ending up in | | | | Norway and addresses individual and bystander |
| prison; abuse their spouses, children and/or elderly | | | | behaviors. It promotes social skills to eliminate the |
| parents; and sexually abuse others. | | | | negative interaction between bullies and victims. It will |
| Bullying has become a real problem in the Virginia | | | | promote parent and community education and |
| schools, with 12,709 incidents of crime and violence | | | | collaboration within the Virginia schools. |
| against Virginia schools students reported in the | | | | According to State Health Commissioner Robert B. |
| 2003-2004 school year. These incidents included | | | | Stroube, M.D., M.P.H., the Olweus Program will directly |
| physical assault with and without weapons, threats, | | | | address the behavioral tendencies that lead to |
| bullying and one attempted rape. Another 89 incidents | | | | becoming a bully or a victim. It will work to prevent all |
| were reported on Virginia schools property that | | | | forms of violence in the Virginia schools that is directed |
| involved firearms. Another 21,128 incidents of fighting | | | | by or at children and adolescents. |
| with no or minor injuries were reported by the Virginia | | | | The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health |
| schools, and 1,336 incidents of fighting that resulted in | | | | Services Administration found the program has many |
| serious injury. | | | | benefits. The Olweus Program: |
| Bullying occurs when one or more students repeatedly | | | | - Reduced student reports of being bullied and bullying |
| subject other students to negative actions over a | | | | others by 30 to 70 percent; |
| period of time. Bullying includes intentional physical | | | | - Significantly reduced students' reports of general |
| attacks (such as hitting), obscene gestures, intentional | | | | antisocial behavior, such as vandalism, fighting and |
| exclusion from a group, and verbal attacks (such as | | | | theft; |
| threatening, malicious teasing, and spreading rumors). | | | | - Significantly improved classroom order and discipline; |
| Bullies are impulsive and hotheaded. They generally | | | | and |
| (but not always) have more physical strength than | | | | - Fostered a more positive attitude toward schoolwork |
| other children their age. Bullies lack empathy and have | | | | and school. |
| dominant personalities, a need to control and prove | | | | |