What Works Brief #6: Physical and Emotional Violence Victimization

Peer victimization, or bullying, occurs at schools, in neighborhoods, online—anywhere youth are—and can be physical or verbal, or through social exclusion from groups.Instilling a sense of vulnerability, isolation, and fear in its victims, bullying affects the general sense of safety at school. It also reduces victims' ability to organize their mental and emotional resources, negatively affecting student outcomes.To combat bullying, schools must provide resources for all students, including the victims, aggressors, and bystanders. This What Works Brief, cowritten by Meagan O'Malley, focuses on how schools can best prevent and intervene in cases of bullying, including:How to be prepared when bullying happensWays of taking action10 best practices for bullying prevention and interventionNote: Developed by the California Safe and Supportive Schools (S3) Technical Assistance Center, What Works Briefs summarize state-of-the-art practices, strategies, and programs for improving school climate.Based on the most current research, each of the ten briefs provides practical recommendations for school staff, parents, and community members and can be used separately to target specific issues (e.g., family engagement) or grouped together to address more complex, systemwide issues.What Works Briefs are organized into three sections:Quick Wins: What Teachers and Adults Can Do Right NowUniversal Supports: Schoolwide Policies, Practices, and ProgramsTargeted Supports: Intensive Supports for At-Risk Yout