A bully prevention program implemented in the Denver public school system was effective at reducing self-reported victimization by 20 percent among students who participated in the program.

The program, called Youth Matters, teaches social skills that reduce the likelihood of being victimized by peers (things like learning to stand up for oneself and others, how to effectively ask for help from teachers, how to cope with bullying). Perhaps more importantly, the program promotes a  shift in attitudes toward bullying and aims to build a school climate in which bullying is clearly not acceptable to students.

This is the kind of thing that makes me stand up and cheer.  25-30% of children and adolescents report that they have either been a victim of a bully, or a bully themselves. Programs like this have the potential to improve the day-to-day life of so many kids.

Not all of the study findings were as promising as the decrease in self-reported victimization–for example, self-reported bullying did not change after the implementation of the program–and a 20% decrease in perceived victimization isn’t huge. But for researchers, teachers and other school officials who are devoted to reducing bullying, to parents who worry daily about their children’s traumatic experiences at school, and of course to the kids themselves, a 20% decrease is a good place to start.

The full text of the study (which describes the program and the study of its efficacy) can be found here. Thanks to my friend Sophie (whose wonderful website and blog can be found here) for the tip!