Bullying � synonymous with fear and anxiety � is perhaps the most underrated problem in our schools. Bullying is not a new occurrence in our schools. Most adults have some memory of the school bully or were themselves harassed by a bully at some time during their school years.
But today the problem has reached new levels of severity. Studies have found that one out of seven students are victims of bullying or are bullies themselves. Many victims spend their school days in fear of attack or simply waiting for the next degrading, humiliating incident to happen. Bullying ran begin as early as kindergarten and, if left unchecked, can develop into lifetime patterns of criminal behavior, as well as social, family and job-related problems.
Recognizing a bully and correcting this destructive behavior is of prime importance. Sometimes the bully's tactics take on subtle forms of psychological abuse. Abuses can be carried our verbally or through the use of threatening eye contact and gestures. Often bullying manifests itself in more severe ways when the aggressor intentionally inflicts injury or discomfort upon another. Whatever form bullying takes, only recently have parents and educators recognized bullying for what it truly is criminal activity.
The �Schoolyard Bully Practicum,� sponsored by the National School Safety Center, was held in 1987 at Harvard University. Authorities on schoolyard bullying and victimization gathered from around the world to develop a national prevention program for this serious problem.
With the help of guidelines defined by authorities at the Schoolyard Bullying Practicum, the National School Safety Center has produced an 18-minute videotape, �Set Straight on Bullies.� This videotape was created to help parents, educators, law enforcers, other concerned citizens and students understand what bullying is and how it can be prevented.
�Set Straight on Bullies" explores all sides of today's bullying problem � from bullying, to victims, to the parents of both, as well as the community and educational system this problem disrupts. Shown through the eyes of a young bullying victim, �Set Straight on Bullies� brings to light the damaging effect that bullying has on all who are involved � physical and psychological damage that can last a lifetime.
�1988
