Bullying Prevention

Bullying is a major public health issue. It is a malicious, pervasive behavior that has emotional and physical effects on its victims, ultimately hindering learning and a positive school experience for thousands of children.

What Is Bullying?

Bullying can take many forms: emotional, physical, verbal, sexual, racist and cyber. It occurs when a child is exposed, repeatedly and over time, to negative actions such as nonverbal harassment in the form of stares and glares, cruel teasing, gossip, sexual harassment, ethnic slurs, unreasonable territorial bans, destruction of property, extortion, and serious physical assault, by one or multiple other students.

Our Involvement

The Highmark Foundation consulted renowned bullying prevention experts and formed a broad coalition of partners to implement the evidence-based Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP). Drawing on the expertise of the Center for Safe Schools, Windber Research Institute and Clemson University, the Foundation implemented the OBPP at individual schools and in entire school districts throughout Pennsylvania.

In addition, the Highmark Foundation founded the Bullying Prevention Institute in 2007. Since that time, the Institute has coordinated Continuing Education (CE) sessions that have drawn 1,700 participants to nearly 40 events. Most importantly, however, the Foundation's efforts have played a critical role in helping thousands of students remain safe at school.

Goals and Strategies

The Foundation recognizes that more needs to be done to address bullying. As a result they put together a comprehensive goals and strategies.

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Statistics

Bullying isn't just a right of passage—a condition to be endured as part of growing up—rather, school-based bullying is the most common form of violence in our society.

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Understanding Bullying

Social relationships can be used as a way to harm another person. This is called relational aggression, and it's a form of bullying used most often in schools.

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Signs of Bullying

There are ways for adults—both professionals and parents— to identify if bullying is occurring. By understanding the warning signs they can take action to address it.

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