Bullying: Lessons to Combat Cruelty

In national surveys, nearly one in three children report being bullied at school. Students who bully and those who are victimized are likelier than other children to carry a weapon and engage in other acts of school violence. Many states have responded with laws to combat bullying , including cyberbullying in schools.

This report provides strategies schools can use to help prevent bullying.

• Children who bully are likelier than other students to engage in antisocial and delinquent behaviors at school and as adults.
• Bullied children have lower self-esteem and more frequent physical and mental health problems than other children, as well as higher rates of absenteeism and lower academic performance.
• In a United Educators (UE) claims review, frequently reported bullying behaviors included sexual assaults and improper touching, physical fights or assaults, verbal abuse, cyberbullying, and the use of weapons.