It is estimated that anywhere from 10% (Natvig, Albreksten, & Quarnstrom, 2001) to 30% ( Duncan , 1999a) of students are victims of bullying.  Bullying is an international problem.   In addition to the United States , research has been done in the following countries:

Some of the most common forms of bullying are :

Victims often respond to bullies by ignoring them, telling them to stop, and asking an adult for help. (Smith & Shu Shu, 2000).

The effects of bullying can include:

• Irritability
• Headaches
• Backaches
• Nervousness
• Sleeplessness
• Worry
• Fear of school
• Depression
• Low self-esteem
• Suicidal ideation
• Sources: Natvig, Albreksten, & Quarnstrøm, 2001; Berthold and Hoover , 2000; Kaltiala-Heino, Rimpelä, Marttunen, Rimpelä, and Rantanen, 1999; Seals & Young, 2003

Psychologist Renae Duncan (1999b) uncovered a correlation between being a victim of bullying and also being a victim of child abuse by a parent.  These students were noted to have significantly higher levels of psychological distress than those who were not bullied, or who were bullied, but not abused.

Common reasons for being bullied include:

• The way one dresses
• The brand of clothing worn
• The size of one’s ears or nose
• Talking excessively
• Not being athletically inclined
• Being shy or quiet
• The neighborhood they live in
• The type of car that their parents drive
• Their religion
• Their parents’ occupation
• Being the teacher’s pet
• Having a learning disability
• Being absent frequently
• Knowing all the answers in class
• Sources: Horowitz, Vessey, Carlson, Bradley, Montoya, McCullough, et al., 2004; Horowitz, et al., 2004

Bullying most often occurs:

• Lunchroom
• Playground during recess
• On the way home from school
• Classroom
• Restrooms
• Locker rooms
• Gymnasium
• Sources: Seals & Young, 2003; Smith & Shu Shu, 2000