74 per cent of our primary school children reported being bullied in the playground according to a Trinity College study.
This is a frightening number of children who have been victimised, scared, harassed and put down.
Evidence shows that children who are bullied are more likely to suffer psychiatric problems and depression in later life. This is why schools are central to taking action when it comes to bullying.
Now, a study has found that a Finnish concept known as KiVa has been proven to be the most successful. And the reason? Because instead of targeting the bully or the victim, it targets the bystander.
The programme shows children why bullying isn’t acceptable. It teaches teachers as well as students through computer games posters and even shows parents how to get involved. The children are given tools show them how to deal with bullying when they see it happening.
KiVa was developed at the University of Turku in Finland by experts who have been studying the phenomenon of bullying and its mechanisms for decades.
Most programmes focus on a zero-tolerance philosophy for the bully, whereas the KiVa programme focuses on showing compassion and support to the one being picked on.
Researchers at the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Philosophy analysed over 50 anti-bullying programmes around the world, finding KiVa to be the most affective.
While it is only available in Finland currently, it is slowly being rolled out across Europe with similar success.
