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. Recently a version of this approach was created by Ken Rigby and formed the basis for a DVD. It is described on this site: http://www.readymade.com.au/productions.html where video clips can be seen and information about purchasing is located.
The training film has been well received by authorities and practitioners concerned with tackling bullying in schools
'...a very effective presentation of the Pikas method’.
Professor Peter Smith, University of London'...the best training tool I've seen (I teach counseling skills and none of the tapes are anywhere near this effective). I think Dr. Rigby’s commentary and the 2 facilitators, provide a wealth of topics for discussion, and the guidebook is particularly helpful. What a terrific tool! I cannot praise this highly enough’.
Associate Professor Sheri Bauman, University of Arizona'The film is a good step in countering the prevailing zero tolerance approach to bullying and the use of punitive actions in dealing with all bullying incidents’.
Dr Anatol Pikas, Sweden
Download refereed papers on Shared Concern by Pikas: New
Developments of the Shared Concern Method (PDF) and by Rigby: The
Method of Shared Concern as an Intervention Technique to Address Bullying in
Schools: An Overview and Appraisal (PDF)