Bullies and Their Victims: Understanding a Pervasive Problem in the Schools

Abstract

School violence traditionally has been defined in terms of acts of assault, theft, and vandalism. However, a lesser but more frequent form of violence, “bullying,” affects 15% to 20% of all students in schools today. The National Education Goals Panel has identified creating school environments that are free from violence as one of the national goals. This goal cannot be achieved unless the issue of bullying is addressed directly by school systems in the United States. This article discusses the characteristics of bullies and their victims, school and family factors that affect the development of the bully/victim experience, and the school system responses to bullying. Finally, components of a comprehensive intervention plan for bullying are provided.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

George M. Batsche

George M. Batsche, Ed.D, is Associate Professor in the School Psychology Program at the University of South Florida, Tampa, FL. His research interests include behavior intervention and assessment strategies for children and youth with behavior and emotional difficulties and group (building/ classroom) intervention systems.

Howard M. Knoff

Howard M. Knoff, PhD, is a Professor and Director of the School Psychology Program at the University of South Florida. His research focuses on consultation and supervision processes, organizational assessment and school reform, and the link between personality assessment and intervention.