Empowering the Victim: Interventions for Children Victimized by Bullies

Several studies have suggested that bullying is a significant problem in American schools (Hoover, Oliver, & Hazler, 1992; Nansel et al., 2001). In response to this problem, most interventions have been focused on bullies and have promoted systemic change throughout the targeted schools (e.g., Limber, Flerx, Nation, & Melton, 1998; Olweus, 1993; Pepler, Craig, Ziegler, & Charach, 1994). These “whole school” programs have appropriately emphasized holding bullies responsible for their behavior and have successfully reduced overall bullying rates. However, in general, these interventions have failed to recognize the acute problems faced by victims of bullying that often leave professionals, parents, and the victimized children themselves wondering about the proper response to a bully.