ABSTRACT
This chapter forms a detailed description of the issues involved in setting up a support group for victims of bullying. There are strong reasons for advocating that the group should consist of victims only. Some people argue that mixing a group of victims and bullies provides an opportunity for learning directly about each other's feelings and motives and would therefore create greater awareness and sensitivity and make bullying less likely. Verbal reports have been received claiming that such groups can be run successfully. The size of the group depends on the number of adults available and on the group members to be selected. Ideally a ratio of one adult to three or four children is recommended, particularly when a number of provocative victims are involved. The aim of a victim support group would be to teach the pupils those skills which are common to non-bullied children and which would help them to become members of the latter category.
