Bullying Prevention
Bullying is not merely a phase children and teens go through - it is a public health problem that can have a serious and lasting impact on those bullying and those bullied. For more information about bullying and its effects, state and national statistics, and warning signs and risk factors, click here. For more information about bullying prevention, best practices for schools, and evidence-based programs, click here.
To address this critical public health problem, the Bullying Prevention Program coordinates presentations and workshops for a variety of state audiences, assists schools and other youth organizations in implementation of evidence based bullying prevention programs, develops and manages bullying and youth violence prevention initiatives, and serves as a resource on bullying prevention.
One component of the Program is providing support for implementation of the evidence-based Olweus Bullying Prevention Program in Virginia schools. Between 2006 and 2010, the Virginia Department of Health and Virginia Commonwealth University collaborated on a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funded project that resulted in the implementation of the Olweus program in over 90 Virginia schools, leading to improvements in classroom bullying behavior and prevention - for more information on this project and results, click here. This Program will continue providing Olweus-related material and technical assistance support to Virginia schools.
For more information on bullying prevention and the Virginia Department of Health Bullying Prevention Program, please contact:
Vinu Ilakkuvan, MSPH
Bullying Prevention Coordinator
Phone: (804) 864-7741
vinu.ilakkuvan@vdh.virginia.gov
News Updates
News Update, Friday, January 27, 2012
Last month, the U.S. Department of Education released Analysis of State Bullying Laws and Policies, a new report summarizing current approaches in the 46 states with anti-bullying laws and the 41 states that have created anti-bullying policies as models for schools. For more information and a link to the full report, visit:http://1.usa.gov/zXfDQq
Also released last month by the U.S. Department of Education-Prevalence and Implementation Fidelity of Research-Based Prevention Programs in Public Schools. The full report can be accessed here:http://1.usa.gov/xYVpBA.
Just last week, the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) released Playgrounds and Prejudice: Elementary School Climate in the United States. Findings from this report, based on national surveys of over 1000 elementary school students and teachers, as well as other information, can be found here: http://bit.ly/w0NglF. A free webinar at 3PM EST on February 1 will review findings from this report-to register, visit: http://bit.ly/AktJlw.
Other upcoming webinars of interest include: the Suicide Prevention Resource Center's webinar on bullying and suicide prevention February 2nd at 3PM EST (register at http://bit.ly/AkxHvv) and the American School Health Association,s webinar on proven bullying prevention strategies February 17th at 2:30PM EST (more information and registration link can be found at http://bit.ly/zvmR5Y).
Click here to see previous news updates
StopBullying.gov (a partnership of federal agencies): www.stopbullying.gov
The ABCs of Bullying (Addressing, Blocking, and Curbing School Aggression): www.pathwayscourses.samhsa.gov/index.htm
Bullying Prevention Resource Guide (of The Colorado Trust's Bullying Prevention Initiative): www.bullyingprevention.org
Olweus Bullying Prevention Program: www.olweus.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Youth Violence information: www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/youthviolence/index.html
About Bullying - information about bullying and its effects, state and national statistics, and warning signs and risk factors
Bullying Prevention - information about bullying prevention, best practices for schools, and evidence-based programs
Bullying and Suicide - information about the relationship between bullying and suicide and how to accurately and safely discuss these issues
Contact Us:
Information Line: 1-800-732-8333
Email: injury@vdh.virginia.gov
Phone: (804) 864-7732
