Empirical data regarding the effectiveness of specific bully prevention programs is lacking, but an exhaustive literature review uncovered several well-established programs.  Examples of bully prevention programs include Australia ’s “Safe and Happy Playground” program and the “Bully Buster Program” (Soutter & McKenzie  2000).  Both programs incorporate a whole school approach that includes staff, students, and parents.  The core belief of the programs is that feeling safe is a basic human right.

The Bully Buster Program
Its central concept is peer mediation and its goal is to teach students about conflict resolution.  The program also encourages early intervention when problems arise so that the secrecy of bullying does not continue to nurture its growth.  The program also emphasizes the need for staff and parents to serve as positive role models (Soutter & McKenzie  2000).

Safe and Happy Playground Program
This program can be used as an adjunct to the Bully Busters Program.  The Safe and Happy Playground empowers students by soliciting their suggestions for developing a bully-free playground.  The students surveyed wanted separate play areas, one for quiet play, and one for active play.  There are signs on the playground reminding students that it is OK to tell when someone is bullying or harassing them.  Students are further empowered by a weekly Peace Award in which the students elect a winner, and parents are kept informed through updates in the school newsletter (Soutter & McKenzie  2000).

The Bully Court Program
This p rogram presents a unique way of handling bullying in school (Mahdavi and Smith, 2002). The “ Bully Court ” is a school-based court system that consists of student representatives for each grade level and two senior staff members.  At the beginning of the school year, the students in each grade elect their own student representatives that serve as the “jury” of the Bully Court .  Cases are brought before the Bully Court , and the court decides whether or not the accused is guilty of bullying.  The Bully Court then decides on an appropriate punishment.  Punishments can include a public warning, detention, or a recommendation for suspension from school.  

Mahdavi and Smith determined that the majority of the victims surveyed found the Bully Court helpful, and the majority of bullies considered Bully Court enough of a deterrent not to bully again.