Creating Safe and Humane Settings for ChildrenSUSAN P. LIMBER, PHD

My background…

•Training in psychology and law•Developmental Psychology, Masters of Legal Studies

•Previous positions•University of South Carolina• Post-doctoral fellowship, American Psychological Association

•At Clemson• Teach in PhD program (Human Development & Family Life…)•Direct Olweus Bullying Prevention Program• Faculty Director, Community Scholars Program

How Can We Create Safe & Humane Settings for Children?•Understand the nature and prevalence of bullying among children and youth•Develop, implement and evaluate school- and community-based prevention and intervention strategies•Evaluate and promote supportive laws and policies •Apply knowledge to public information efforts

I. Understand the Nature and Prevalence of Bullying among Children and Youth

•Synthesis of research on bullying and bullying prevention for the Institutes of Medicine (National Academy of Sciences)

•Research on cyberbullying

•Annual report of children’s perceptions of bullying…

Bullying in U.S. Schools: Yearly Status Report

Figure 21. Students (who have been bullied 2–3 times per month or more) tell these people that they are being bullied

Bullying in U.S. Schools: Yearly Status ReportStudents Afraid of Being Bullied

II. Develop, Implement, Evaluate Prevention Efforts•IFNL is home to the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP)•Developed numerous guides, videos, training materials, and other supports for U.S. schools• Certified 1,700 OBPP trainers from 47 states and 8 countries•Ongoing evaluation of the OBPP…

Outcomes from Evaluation of 70,000 students from 214 schools in PA

Positive program effects for being bullied and bullying others

Program effects were larger the longer the program was in place.

Meaningful positive changes in variables related to:

students’ perceptions about implementation of the program and

attitudes and behaviors as witnesses Baseline (T0) Time 2

0%

2%

4%

6%

8%

10%

12%

14%

16%

Bullying Others 2-3 Times/month or more

EL MS HS

RC = 30.5% OR = 1.51

RC = 35.0% OR = 1.58

III. Evaluate and Promote Supportive Laws and Policies •How do state and federal laws address bullying at school?•How have courts handled issues raised by bullying at school?•What types of policies have schools developed? •Which promote safe and humane schools?•Metal detectors and zero tolerance vs. awareness and connections

IV. Apply Knowledge to Public Information Efforts

•Consulted to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) on bullying prevention efforts•Content for website•Free training modules•Videos for children, parents, educators

Other (Related) Interests: Civic Engagement Among Children, Youth, Young Adults•Community Scholars Program•Undergraduate scholarship emphasizing civic

engagement and community service• Perform 5-7 hours/week community service•Develop community service projects• Participate in one seminar each year

•Civics and Service House (CASH)• Living and learning community • Student organization• Promotes civic engagement