More about Olweus Bullying Prevention Program at Paxon Hollow

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Bullying is when one child or a group of children hurts another child deliberately through words or actions repeatedly.

Bullying behaviors may involve physical aggression, such as hitting and shoving, and verbal aggression, such as name calling, teasing and threatening.

Bullying may also be more subtle, such as ignoring someone and deliberately excluding them from the group, telling lies and spreading rumors.

Bullying involves an imbalance of power. It usually occurs between people who are not friends. The general atmosphere is one of intimidation and it is difficult for the student being bullied to defend himself or herself.

Bullying can have lifelong consequences for both bullies and victims. It affects the entire school climate. Even students who are neither the bully nor the victim but who witness repeated bullying can become fearful and feel that the adults are not in control or are uncaring.

Victims of bullying may experience low self-esteem that remains until adulthood. While the bullying is occurring they may exhibit physical problems, school phobia and symptoms of depression. School performance may decrease.

Children who bully very often become adults who bully. One study found that 60% of chronic bullies had an arrest record in their early twenties. Bullying behavior is linked with other anti-social behaviors such as fighting, vandalism, drug and alcohol abuse and developing gang alliances.

All children have the right to a school environment where they feel safe and can learn to the best of their abilities.

The Bullying Prevention Program, developed by Dr. Dan Olweus, was part of a nationwide campaign against bully/victim problems in Norway in the 1970s. In the early nineties, in response to school violence and juvenile homicide in the United States, the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence at the University of Colorado chose the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program as one of ten “Blueprint” programs which they described as “truly outstanding” and effective.

Holcomb became involved in bullying prevention in 2001 when Carolyn Falcone was trained by Dr. Olweus and his team, and piloted this program in two school districts. These schools and others have enjoyed the positive benefits that increase over time.

Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems is an active member of the Pennsylvania Bullying Prevention Network.

Olweus Bullying Prevention is now recognized as a model program by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention.

According to the SAMHSA website, the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program has achieved the following results:

• A 30% to 70% reduction in student reports of being bullied and bullying others
• Significant reductions in student reports of general antisocial behavior
• Significant improvements in classroom order and discipline
• More positive attitude toward schoolwork and school.