Prevention of bullying in Lithuania

Abstract

The article looks into prevention of bullying in Lithuania by applying the ecological model. It describes how bullying is being addressed in all levels – individual, relationship, community and societal. The article describes several programmes that are implemented widely in the educational setting. The overview is made of the implementation of programmes that promote mental health and teach children social and emotional skills at the group or class level as well as other anti-bullying programmes that involve the whole school communities. The strong governmental and societal recognition of bullying problem in 2007 led to the nationwide implementation of these programmes. Lithuanian data from International HBSC study shows positive thrend of gradual decrease of percentages of children who are being bullied and who are bullying others.

Keywords::

• Bullying
• violence
• ecological model
• prevention

Notes

^1. Nacionalinė smurto prieš vaikus prevencijos ir pagalbos vaikams 2008–2010 metų programa. Patvirtinta LR Vyriausybės nutarimu Nr. 392, 2004-04-24.