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Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP) Components

School

Classroom

Individual

Community

Parents

a curriculum

a conflict resolution approach

a peer mediation program

an anger management program

The OBPP IS NOT...

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The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program IS...

Designed for ALL studentsPreventive AND responsiveFocused on changing norms and restructuring the school setting

Research-basedNOT time-limited: Requires systematic efforts over time

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Who?Who?

What?What?

When?When?

Where?Where?

How? How?

Why?Why?

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“Bullying is when someone repeatedly and on purpose says or does mean or hurtful things to another person who has a hard time defending himself or herself.”

Olweus Definition of Bullying:

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Three Key Components of Bullying Behavior:

1. Involves an aggressive behavior

2. Typically involves a pattern of behavior repeated over time

3. Imbalance of power or strength

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Common Myths About Children who Bully

“Children who bully are loners.”

“Children who bully have low self-esteem.”

“Only boys bully.”

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BULLYING = PEER ABUSE

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Bullying vs. Normal Peer ConflictBullying Normal Peer Conflict

Imbalance of power; not friends Equal power or friends

Repeated negative actions Happens occasionally

Purposeful Accidental

Serious with threat of physical or emotional harm

Usually not serious

Strong emotional reaction from the victim and little to none from the bully

Equal emotional reaction

Seeking power, control, or material things

Not seeking power or attention

No remorse, blames victim Remorseful or taking responsibility

No effort to solve the problem Effort to solve the problem

Types of Bullying1. Direct:

Hitting, taunting, name calling

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Types of Bullying

2. Indirect: Rumors,

exclusion, cyber

bullying

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Effects of Being Bullied

Lower self-esteemDepression & anxietyAbsenteeism &

lowered school achievement

Thoughts of suicideIllness

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Effects of Bullying on School ClimateCreates a climate of fear

and disrespectInterferes with student

learningStudents may feel

insecurity and not like school as well

Students may perceive lack of control/caring

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Characteristics of Bullied Students

Research suggests two categories of bullied children:“submissive” or “passive victims”

“provocative victims” or “bully-victims”

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Children at Higher Risk of Being Bullied:

Children with disabilities, special needs, and health problems

Children who are obeseChildren who are lesbian, gay,

bisexual, transgender, or who are questioning their identities (GLBTQ)

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Concerns About Children Who Bully

Children who bully are more likely to:Get into frequent fightsBe injured in a fightSteal, vandalize propertyDrink alcohol, smokeBe truant, drop out of schoolReport poorer academic achievementPerceive a negative climate at schoolCarry a weapon

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Children Who BullyBullying may be part of a conduct-

disordered behavior patternThis pattern may continue

into young adulthoodOlweus study:

Bullies were 4 times as likely

to have 3 or more convictions by age 24

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Family Risk Factors for Bullying

Lack of parental warmth and involvement

Lack of parental supervision

Overly-permissive parenting

Harsh discipline/physical punishment

School Risk Factors for Problems of Bullying

Lack of supervision during breaks

Students have indifferent or accepting attitudes

Staff have indifferent or accepting attitudes towards bullying

Effects of Bullying on Bystanders

Bystanders may feel:

AfraidPowerless to change the situationGuilty for not actingDiminished empathy for

victims over time

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What Roles Do Students Play In Bullying Situations?

B

C

D

H

G

E

F

AStart the bullying and take an active partTake an activepart, but do not start the bullyingSupport the bullying, but do not take an active part

Like the bullying, but do not display open support

Dislike the bullying and think they ought to help, but don’t do it

Dislike the bullying, help or try to help the bullied student

The one who is being bullied

Student Who Is Bullied

Students Who Bully

Followers

Supporters

Passive Supporters

DisengagedOnlookers

Possible Defenders

Defenders

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Group Mechanisms in Bullying

Social contagion Weakening inhibitions against aggression

Decreased sense of individual responsibility

Gradual changes in the view of bullied student(s)

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OBPP Principles imply…1. Adults are responsible2. Clear & consistent message3. Short & long-term focus4. Follow model with fidelity5. OBPP should become part of

everyday life at school

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OBPP Principles imply:

6. Student involvement in changing climate

7. Student learning about bullying 8. OBPP is NOT peer mediation or conflict

resolution9. OBPP is not a classroom management

technique

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School-Level Components1. Establish a Bullying Prevention

Coordinating Committee2. Conduct committee and staff trainings3. Administer the Olweus Bullying

Questionnaire4. Hold staff discussion groups5. Introduce the school rules against

bullying6. Review and refine the school’s

supervisory 7. Hold a school kick-off event to launch

the program 8. Involve parents 25

Olweus Bullying QuestionnaireLocations of hotspotsPatterns for girls & boysInsights into school climateInformation to assess supervisionAdult & student attitudes about bullyingImpact of bullying on studentsValuable planning tool

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about bullyingWe will not bully others.We will help students who are bullied.

We will include students who are left out.

If we know that somebody is being bullied, we will tell an adult at school and an adult at home.

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Classroom-Level Components

1. Post and enforce school-wide rules against bullying

2. Hold regular class meetings

3. Hold meetings with students’ parents

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Maintaining Positive Classroom Management

OBPP is not a classroom management program.

BUT, helping teachers hone behavior management skills will help to implement the program.

Use of the Positive Classroom Management Checklist

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Classroom-Level PARENT Meetings

Build connection and communityHelps parents learn more about OBPP

Held 2-3 times/year (recommended)Resources:

Sample outline for first meetingTopics for additional meetings

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Individual-Level Components1. Supervise students’

activities

2. Ensure that all staff intervene on-the-spot when bullying occurs

3. Hold meetings with students involved in bullying

4. Develop individual intervention plans for involved students

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Community-Level Components1. Involve community members on

the BPCC

2. Develop partnerships with community members to support your program

3. Help spread anti-bullying messages and principles of best practice throughout the community

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Remember……Stopping bullying takes a team effort.

You play a critical position on the team.

Change happens in small increments but can have positive long-term impact for us all!

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On-the-Spot Interventions:The “Teachable Moment”

1. Stop the bullying2. Support student who has been bullied3. Name bullying behavior & refer to school

rules4. Engage the bystanders5. Impose immediate & appropriate

consequences 6. Take steps to ensure bullied student will

be protected from future bullying

Program Components

School

Classroom

Individual

Community

Parents

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