We know that a variety of methods of dealing with cases of bullying are being promoted and actually used in schools. These are among the main methods that are being used in some countries
1. The application of rules relating to how children are expected to treat
each
other and the use of ‘consequences’ (usually sanctions or punishments)
when
bullying behaviour is identified.
2. The use of Restorative Justice procedures (see http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/tandi/tandi219.html)
3. Mediation between children in conflict.
4. The use of the No-Blame or Social Group Method (see http://www.luckyduck.co.uk/supportgroup/docs/
Ch15-BullyinginSecondaySchools.pdf )
5. The use of the Method of Shared Concern
Unfortunately, researchers have little idea of how frequently and under what circumstances particular methods are being used by school authorities. Research is urgently needed. Recently a study was begun to find out what teachers and counselors thought they would do in response when a case of bullying came to their attention.
If you are a teacher or counselor reading this. I would like you to access a questionnaire: http://www.ed.arizona.edu/bullying and, then, when asked, by entering a password which is ijime. The questionnaire seeks to find out how staff members in a school would react to a particular case of bullying. The information is being collected anonymously; no names are required. The questionnaire was devised by Ken Rigby and Sheri Bauman at the University of Arizona. We think it can provide useful information about what schools think they would do. We will be providing some results from different countries on this site.
The Method of Shared Concern
This is a non-punitive problem-solving approach to tackling cases of bullying,
typically ones which are considered to be of moderate severity and to involve
groups of secondary or late primary school students. This approach was pioneered
by the Swedish psychologist, Anatol Pikas and has been used successfully in a
number of countries, including England, Scotland, Australia, Sweden, Finland
and
Canada.
For a description and evaluation of the Method of Shared concern see
attachments Pikas New Developments of the Shared Concern
Method (PDF) and Shared
Concern (PDF).
A DVD to assist in training teachers and counselors in this Method has been
recently made in Australia, supported by the Australian Federal Education
Department (see http://www.readymade.com.au/productions.html .
You can view video clips illustrating this approach and purchase the DVD. (See Method
of Shared Concern information)