Developing a Coalition Against Bullying and the Bully Blocker

Abstract

Objectives: School-based bullying in children and adolescents is a problem with one in five children and adolescents (20.2%) being bullied in the United States. Developing a collaboration of agencies has helped to provide awareness, intervention and training local school administrators, nurses, counselors, teachers, and parents. This paper will describe a Coalition Against Bullying and the Bully Blocker. Methods: Steps included: Formation of the coalition; finding a responsible leader organization; choosing a bullying prevention program; funding the program; training faculty, staff, teachers, and volunteers; implementation of program pilot testing, kick off with a bullying prevention walk and community education efforts. Intervention: Olweus Bullying Prevention Program Results: The first and second cohort of students bullying scores were very similar for the first two questions and were above the national average. These results are related to more awareness of bullying in the local schools an intervention with affected students. Conclusion: A specific bullying prevention program is outlined as well as the funding received for this program. A local organization for children and adolescents as well as the district attorney’s office who established the Bully Blocker has been key to the long-term success of this coalition which has been in existence since 2011.