Bullying Prevention and Assistance for Bullied Children

question
Bullying prevention is a growing research field that investigates the complexities and consequences of bullying.  There is also a complex relationship between bullying and suicide.  
Visit http://www.stopbullying.gov/resources/index.html and identify resources for preventing bullying
and assisting children who have been bullied.
Answer
Bullying Prevention and Assistance for Bullied Children
1. Introduction
First and foremost, the text could persuade people to stand against bullying efficiently. To fulfill this purpose, the text starts with research that tries to connect to academic and research studies to develop new effective ways for anti-bullying. By implementing this, readers would be convinced that this is the best practice and gives a meaningful impact. Meanwhile, the text then continues to state the significance of the research. After the aim or objective of the research is clearly stated, it is important to continue with the literature review about bullying. Through the literature review, it could help the readers understand more about the topic and justify the hypothesis. The text could provide some supportive statements or evidence from the literature. The next paragraph could talk about the characteristics of the bullies that the research found. In this part, the text needs to elaborate on how the characteristics have been studied. By providing a paragraph to talk about the characteristics of the bullies, the text would not be too focused and describe too much about the positive characteristics of the bullies. The idea of positive characteristics might not be accepted by the majority. When stating the method of the research, the text could provide some ideas and give insight into what type of data has been collected. On the other hand, the text could also provide the tools that have been used for data collection. Last but not least, the text is suggested to have research limitations as well. Researchers need to be honest with the readers that there is no perfect research. Therefore, the author should state the obstacles that have been faced during the research. By providing an honest statement, it could actually lead the readers to know more about the possible challenges that they may face for continuing the research. Also, it further gives room for improvement for the future, i.e. what the researcher could aim and do for the next research.
1.1. Overview of Bullying Prevention Research
As well, the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program is a widely recognized approach to preventing bullying. It is designed for children and youth and involves a combination of school-wide, classroom, individual, and community efforts. It has been found to reduce bullying in schools. In addition, the program provides a focus on creating a positive school climate. Schools and school districts around the country are using the Olweus program and are supplementing it with research-based strategies such as social emotional learning. Social emotional learning is the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. Researchers are discovering the significant impact an emphasis on social emotional learning can make on both school climate and student learning. Such programs provide students with strong, evidence-based social and emotional education and help to facilitate the growth of a more positive school climate where bullying is less and less likely to be present. Clearly, research shows the importance of approaching bullying on different levels, from the individual to the school-wide level, and tailoring strategies to the type of bullying as well as the ages of the youth involved. By continuing to study the countless forms of bullying and the subsequent effects of each kind and by providing educators and parents alike with research-based prevention programs, strategies, and materials, we may be able to weaken the foundation upon which bullying is founded. Although there is no surefire way to prevent bullying, the aim of academic research and the information contained within this resource is to provide a more thorough understanding of the multitude of forms of bullying, and to provide assistance and resources for those who may be affected by such negative behaviors. By exploring research, the underlying causes of a variety of bullying types, and how educators and parents can help to prevent or diminish such behaviors, individuals can develop a strong sense of how bullying negatively affects not only the victim, but also the bully and witnesses to bullying.
1.2. Understanding the Complexities of Bullying
Firstly, it is important to recognize the various different forms of bullying. These can be physical, verbal, relational, and sometimes it can even encompass that of sexual harassment. For example, in some instances, the very friends that a person had turned against them, which is a form of social aggression that sometimes can be even more devastating than just the individual direct bullying itself. Another complexity is that statistics themselves are not always clear as to the true extent or definition of bullying. It is often debated as to whether the bullies themselves are suffering from an underlying psychological problem, or whether they are in fact fully aware of their actions. This is something we explore later within this literature. One key element identified by many is that in order to be able to tackle the issue of bullying, it is essential to understand the different and complex behaviors that are often associated with these types of repeated aggression. For example, research commissioned by the Department for Education and Skills (2009) identified and recognized that there are many different ‘push’ and ‘pull’ factors that are associated within cases of bullying. Ergo, what may start out as a learned cycle of repeat type of aggression can often become a dominant pattern of negative behavior. This can become deeply ingrained over prolonged periods, especially if the bullying tactics are tolerated or remain unanswered. At the core of the underlying issues, it is identified by the research that the individual being the target of the bullying is more often than not at risk from not only ‘psychosocial’ problems such as low self-esteem, or that of an inability to protect themselves effectively from the aggression, but it is known now that academic studies are also a big potential target for the bullies as well.
1.3. Consequences of Bullying
One of the most common and dangerous effects of bullying is the development of low self-esteem. Self-esteem is how a person feels about his or herself and can greatly influence how a person views the world and their role in the world. If a person feels badly about themselves, they are less likely to take productive action towards their goals and more likely to feel helpless and depressed. Additionally, bullying can have long-term effects on a person’s life. The US Department of Health and Human Services reports that children who are bullied are more likely to develop depression and anxiety and grow up to be more susceptible to mental health problems, job insecurity, and even homelessness in their adult years. There have also been multiple studies that have suggested that children who are bullied are more likely to abuse alcohol and other drugs in adolescence and as adults. Bullying has even been linked to an increase in the likelihood of a person committing criminal acts. It has been suggested that the experience of being bullied, and the resulting shame, isolation, and quiet rage, may be contributing factors behind the decision to commit criminal acts. Some of the worst effects of bullying occur when the victim takes his or her own life. When a person is constantly told that they are ugly, not good enough, or that they should kill themselves, the simple words become a reality to the victim and he or she will take their own life. Victims of bullying and cyberbullying are between 2 to 9 times more likely to consider committing suicide, as cited by the US Department of Health and Human Services. There are many different LGBTQ youth support groups and other anti-bullying organizations throughout the country that help provide a safe haven for victims of bullying. They often help children who are being bullied learn to defend themselves, promote greater awareness in schools and communities, and provide education on the patterns that bullying can take. Research has shown that young people who are actively engaged in implementing programs and strategies that foster positive youth-adult relationships and that help to develop conflict resolution and leadership skills are much less likely to problem-bully or to have been seriously victimized themselves. Such programs create an environment where bullying, particularly if it is more subtle or persistent, has a much smaller chance to take root.
2. Bullying and Suicide
2.1. Exploring the Relationship between Bullying and Suicide
2.2. Identifying Risk Factors for Suicide in Bullied Individuals
2.3. Strategies for Suicide Prevention among Bullied Individuals
3. Resources for Preventing Bullying
3.1. StopBullying.gov – Overview and Purpose
3.2. Educational Programs for Bullying Prevention
3.3. Training Materials for Teachers and Parents
3.4. Research-Based Strategies for Bullying Prevention
4. Resources for Assisting Bullied Children
4.1. Supportive Organizations for Bullied Children
4.2. Counseling and Therapy Services
4.3. Building Resilience in Bullied Individuals
4.4. Legal Protection and Advocacy for Bullied Children
5. Conclusion