Bullying among pupils and possibilities of prevention at Kaunas schools

Recently, public awareness of violence against Lithuanian children has grown, not only for violence in the close social environment of the family, but also in schools. According to a survey by the World Health Organization, about 70 percent of Lithuanian children experienced peer bullying at least once; almost a third of schoolchildren experience frequent bullying (2-3 times per month and more). Lithuania’s bullying index, compared with other countries, is one of the largest. In 2008, Lithuania started to implement Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP) in schools, sponsored by Ministry of Education and Science. Until then, only sporadic violence prevention programs were carried in our country, none of which included the entire school community or large schools. The results are important for evaluation of program effectiveness in Lithuania schools. Aim: To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of bullying and evaluate the impact of prevention program of bullying in Kaunas schools Objectives: 1. To analyze the prevalence pupils’ bullying and distribution of its forms in Kaunas schools in 2008. 2. To assess links among bullying with health and psychological well-being. 3. To determine the correlation of bullying with smoking and alcohol consumption. 4. To assess pupils’ and adults’ role to bullying at school. 5. To analyze the prevalence of bullying at schools in 2010 and to evaluate the changes during the two years. 6. To evaluate the impact of bullying prevention program