Know More Bullying

The Olweus BUllying Prevention Program

The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program is a multi-level, multi-component program that aims to reduce bullying in elementary, middle, and junior high schools. The program addresses the effects that bullying has on the victim, the bully, and bystanders. Core components of the program are implemented at the school, classroom, and individual levels.

Establishing a school environment that is safe and positive increases student's level of satisfaction with school, creates an environment that is conducive to learning, and fosters school connectedness.

The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program aims to promote a school climate that discourages bullying and other forms of youth violence. These goals are accomplished by raising the awareness of each school's problems with bullying and developing clear rules and expectations against bullying behavior. In addition, garnering the support and involvement of teachers, parents, and students is equally important. The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program has been internationally recognized as a "best practice" program.

Schools that participate select a coordinating committee that attends two days of formal training by certified Olweus trainers. During this training, the committee is presented with information on bullying and the framework for the Olweus program. Each school committee then works to tailor the specifics of the program, such as school rules against bullying and consequences for bullying behavior, to the needs in their particular building. The committee plans all aspects of implementation, including staff training, parent involvement, and the Bullying Prevention kick-off event.

The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program has been recognized by:

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention & the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence (University of Colorado), as one of only 11 Blueprints for Violence Prevention

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as an Exemplary Program

Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, as a proven program for prevention of bullying

U.S. Department of Education, in its televised show, "News Parents Can Use"