The Effectiveness Of A Violence Prevention Program: Did It Influence

Research on peer victimization in schools has increased dramatically in recent years. This issue is crucial because it is so prevalent, and because it has long-lasting consequences. A convincing case can be made for the negative social, academic, psychological, and physical impact of bullying in the schools. Exposure to bullying by peers has been found to be related to increased dropout rates, lower self esteem, fewer friends, declining grades, and increases in illness (Ballard, Argus, & Remley, 1999; Rigby, 1999; Sagarese & Giannetti, 1999). Bullies in elementary and middle school are more likely to be convicted of crimes (Olweus, 1994) and more likely to take part in sexual harassment and assault in high school and in adulthood (Stein, 1995). The period of transition between elementary and middle school is particularly critical, and has been called the "brutalizing period " due to the increased frequency and intensity aggression experienced by students (Cairns & Cairns, 1986). This study is part of a broader set of studies designed to evaluate a violence prevention program entitled Expect Respect. Expect Respect was implemented in four elementary schools in a medium-sized city. This qualitative study was conducted i