Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşov • Vol.

3 (52) - 2010
Series VII: Social Sciences • Law

HOW TO STOP BULLYING IN SCHOOLS

A DUTCH WAY

Charissa BAKEMA1

Abstract: This article contains information about a 5 pillar method to

prevent and to stop violence in schools. Preventing violence in schools is a
complex process. Not only does the victim need help, but those around the
victim also need to understand the implications and learn to control the
situation. Teachers, parents the aggressor, (the bully) the victim and the
classmates all need knowledge, rules and social skills that help them stop the
psychological mechanisms of violence, commonly known as bullying.
Bullying will not disappear, but can be controlled if people (start to work
together) cooperate. It asks commitment of everybody involved.

Key words: bullying at schools, teachers, social skills, psychological

mechanisms of bullying.

1. Introduction happened but didn‟t know how to counter

or prevent the situation. There were no
I was about 10 years old when I first interventions except a friendly „don‟t fight
encountered violence in school, commonly with each other‟.
known as bullying. One of the girls was I still feel sad when I think about this
not accepted or merely tolerated by the rest girl. I have no record of her current status,
of the class. Her parents voted for the but I am sure she had a horrible time that
wrong political party, she already had influenced her life in a negative way that
breasts and her mother was „a prostitute‟, year.
according to my classmates... When I finished my study „Social Work
Several forms of violence were recurrent and Drama‟ I decided to dedicate myself to
as far as she was concerned. A lot of times preventing violence in schools. I went to
during recess, the whole class would yell at primary schools and secondary schools
her. She tried to defend herself but with forum theatre, I had many discussions
eventually she lost. There were about 15 with numerous teenagers and children
people against her! about the differences between teasing and
I felt sorry for her, but was very shy and bullying and I‟ve organized a lot of parent
afraid to say anything. I tried once, but at & teacher events. In this article I am to
the same moment everybody turned to me describe the method we use in the
and started yelling at me. I stopped helping Netherlands to prevent violence in local
her. schools. Considering the fact that school
The teachers at my school saw what violence can severely affect the later

1
Academy for social studies, Christian University Ede, Holland.
78 Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşov • Vol. 3 (52) - 2010 • Series VII

development of the victim‟s personality 3. Research

and social skills it is advisable that all
those involved in the educational process The latest research has been published in
should cooperate in order to prevent Holland in June 2009 by the Dutch Youth
violent manifestations among children and Institute [5], [8].
teenagers alike. Since 2001 Holland has been part of the
international research program: Health
2. History Behaviour in School-aged Children
(HBSC). Every four years research will be
The year 1998 marks the debut of school done under Dutch children at primary
schools, aged 10 to 12 and at secondary
violence research in the Netherlands. It
schools under children aged 11 to 16 year.
was then that a first book to deal with such
About 11 % of the children in primary
a topic appeared. „The black sheep in the
schools are being bullied weekly; about
classroom!‟ immediately arouse interest
25% of the children say it happens
for the subject. Parents, teachers, youth
occasionally (a few times in a period of a
workers, psychologists and students read
few months).
the book. After that first book a lot of About 5 % of the teenagers of secondary
different materials were published and schools are being bullied more than once a
developed, but there was a need for week.
common thinking and for a more When referring to cyber-bullying 17-23%
systematic way of working. of the children and teenagers claim to
If we want to stop violence, it‟s very being bullied regularly, whereas 30 to 35%
important to do that in a professional way. have the experience of being bullied on the
Not only does the victim need help, but internet, about once a month.
those around the victim also need to At European level Dutch children are
understand the implications of what is being bullied less than in Turkey, Greece
happening and learn to control the and Romania. And Dutch Children are
situation. The Dutch pedagogue, Bob van bullied more than the children in the Czech
der Meer [3], wrote a method consisting of Republic, Spain and England.
5 pillars. If one considers a classroom of 30
His method contains the following children or teenagers, in every class, 3
aspects: children can be the victim of bullying,
Most often, violence in schools and the which is worrisome. Thus, programs about
subsequent types of aggression are bullying are very important to develop. But
commonly being referred to as „bullying‟. what is the definition of bullying? What do
Consequently, according to van der Meer, we need to know?
everybody involved needs to know the
definition of bullying, the difference 4. What We Need to Know
between bullying and teasing, the different
parties who are involved and the “Bullying is the (psychic, physical or
psychological mechanisms that take place. sexual) systematic violence from one
Children, parents, teachers and school board person or a group towards one or more
all need to change their attitudes towards classmates, who aren‟t capable (anymore)
the way in which bullying is perceived. And to defend themselves!” [4].
finally it‟s important to know the reasons By observing this definition of bullying,
why the bullying happens. one can notice the differences between
BAKEMA, C.: How to stop bullying in schools - a Dutch way 79

teasing and bullying. Teasing helps to There is the notion that something in the
build up character. Through teasing people attitude of the victim triggers the
get stronger and learn how to stand up for bullying)
themselves. Teasing is something that The internet site www.bullying.org has
happens all the time between different found a very good way to explain the
people, bullying on the other hand is above mechanisms for the wide audience.
systematically aimed at one person. Thus Some examples of myths and facts:
bullying is the exact opposite of teasing; Myth: “Bullying is just a phase, a normal
the victim is not permitted to resist. part of life. I went through it, my kids will
Bullying breaks down character and has a too! ”.
direct influence on the development of Fact: Bullying is not “normal” or socially
one‟s personality. People who have been acceptable behaviour. We give bullies power
bullied will feel weaker and will learn that by our acceptance of this behaviour.
they have to fight or flee Cannon [1]. Myth: “If I tell someone, it will just make
In this definition one notices that there it worse.”
are already three parties involved: the Fact: Research shows that bullying will
aggressor (the bully), his friends and the stop when adults in authority and peers get
aggressed (the victim.) But there are more involved.
parties. The context is also important. Myth: “Bullying is a school problem, the
There is the teacher. Does he or she teachers should handle it”
know what is happening? And there is the Fact: Bullying is a broader social problem
family of the victim (parents, brothers and that often happens outside of schools, on
sisters). There is the rest of the class who the street, at shopping centers, the local
disregard bullying most often. Some pool, summer camp and in the adult
children in the class join the bully because workplace.”
they are afraid. Some children join the Myth: “People are born bullies”
bully for their own well being. Finally Fact: Bullying is a learned behaviour and
there is the group that doesn‟t do anything. behaviours can be changed.
They do not bully, but they do not help the In fact these mechanisms are attitudes,
victim either. Every now and then there is which we can try to change by giving
an individual in the group with authority attention to the subject.
amongst his peers who will defend the
victim. 5. What We Need to Change!
The psychological mechanisms that we
recognize in this process are: When we speak about attitudes we can
1.The collective choice to be silent about see three parts [2], [6]:
what is happening (everybody in the - A cognitive part.
class knows what is happening, but - A conative part.
nobody dares to speak out to the - An emotional affective part.
teacher, because they are afraid to be To treat bullying in a professional way,
the traitor). each of the three parts of an attitude needs
2. The bystander dilemma (teachers and/or to be dealt with. Only when teachers are
parents see what is happening, but are working on the different parts of the
not sure if or how to act). attitude, the interventions will be powerful
3.Blaming the victim (teachers, bully, rest and lead to good results.
of the class and the parents have the Teachers, parents and the class need to
idea that the victim is the guilty one. attain knowledge about the mechanisms of
80 Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşov • Vol. 3 (52) - 2010 • Series VII

bullying (cognitive). But knowledge is not themselves by reading books on the

enough. A protocol of rules and subject. Teachers need to know how to
agreements on how to restrict bullying in communicate with parents, victims, the
school should be made and agreed upon by aggressor (the bully) and the class. They
all parties who are involved (conative). need to know which possibilities there are
However, the most important part is the for these different target groups (are there
emotional affective part. If people are courses for social skills? Is there a
touched by what is happening, they will psychologist they can turn to? Which are
find inner motivation to stop its the important internet sites where you can
continuation (emotional affective). learn more about how to prevent and stop
bullying) and they need to know what kind
6. What We Need to Know about the of punishment they can reinforce if
Reasons! bullying does not stop.
 Background information and advice for
It is important to know why the bullying parents.
happens: This can be done by specialists and
A. a non democratic system at school, teachers. If it‟s done by a specialist it is
B. no contact between school and parents; very important that teachers be involved as
C. or anonymity of children within well, so that they can meet with the parents
schools; and communicate with them about their
D. unsafe atmosphere in the classroom, children. Parents should be educated on
because of competition amongst peers; some background information about
E. personal traits such as a form of bullying, but most importantly they need to
disability, problems at home or know what can happen when their child is
psychological problems. a bully or the victim of bullying. Parents
need to be informed about who they can
7. How to Stop Bullying in Schools – a turn to, to ask for help.
Dutch Experience  Mobilizing the silent group, which forms
Numerous schools in Holland are the majority of the class and thus is able
working with the 5 pillar method of Van to stop the bullying.
der Meer [4]. The first thing the school Different projects can help to mobilize
board has to decide is that they will the entire class. For example by using
commit to structurally prevent and stop forum theatre where children and teenagers
bullying at school. They have to agree on can experience what they can do when
the fact that no form of bullying will be they are being bullied, or when they see
tolerated. They‟ll have to develop a charter that somebody else is a victim of bullying.
for action [10] and a protocol that is  Help and training for the bully.
implemented through the entire school. The bully needs to know that there will
Next steps that need to be taken for the be a punishment when he or she continues
implementation of the above charter and bullying.
protocol are: He or she needs to know what the rules
 The training and the education of and the agreements are.
teachers. Furthermore it is important that the
Pedagogues, psychologists and teacher or specialist analyze the reasons for
specialists on the matter of bullying, can the behaviour of the bully in order to
give information on the subject and should understand and change the behaviour of
be contacted. Teachers should educate the aggressor. Parents must be informed
BAKEMA, C.: How to stop bullying in schools - a Dutch way 81

about what happened. Sometimes a course email, chatbox or MSN or by placing a

for social and emotional skills can help; picture of somebody on the internet (for
the bully can experience how it feels to be example by using the webcam)The effects
the victim, and he / she can also learn how are worse than face to face bullying
to communicate about the things that he or because the victim cannot respond due to
she worries about in life. the fact that he (or she) doesn‟t know who
 Assistance for the victim. is attacking him (or her). The anonymity of
The victim needs to get advice on how to cyber bullying enables the bully use more
respond to the behaviour of the bully. The aggressive language, thus making this form
victim needs to learn how to stop the bully, of aggression more hurtful. About 30% to
but also needs to ask for help from 40% of the children are complaining about
classmates, teacher and parents. Finally the cyber bullying, internet gossip and people
victim can take part in a course for social who steal their passwords.
and emotional skills. About 56%-80% of the children only
The victim needs to build self- confide in their friends about being on the
confidence and a positive self-image. internet. They do not inform their parents
and teachers.
8. Critical Note: Community & Internet Therefore it‟s important that teachers and
parents know enough about the internet to
One thing is missing in the 5 pillar assist children in their online activities! In
method: Bullying does not only take place 2005, only 50% of the teachers in the
at school. It can take place at a fitness club, Netherlands knew enough about the
on the playground, or just in the internet to assist children professionally.
neighbourhood. There are a lot of places
where bullying can continue happening 10. Conclusions
unnoticed. So if possible, the school can
try to build up a relation with the youth Bullying happens at all ages, in all
clubs and youth workers on the streets to countries, between children, teenagers and
prevent the bullying and to inform each grown-ups. It happens mostly between the
other when there are signs of bullying. ages of 10-14. No form of bullying should
Parents can also play an important role in be tolerated. Bullying in schools must be
this communication. Is the school dealt with as a serious issue; it is not a
responsible for what happens outside the normal behaviour and it can bring serious
institution?. It may seem unusual to also damage to the further development of the
deal with bullying outside school, but even individuals being aggressed.
when the bullying takes place outside this Bullying will not disappear, but it can be
institutional setting, the school is still controlled if people start to work together
involved, because violence will continue and decide to work on the entire system
inside its borders. Children will feel unsafe around the children. School is the place
because of the bullying and this will have a where children spend five days a week, for
negative effect on the school results. almost the entire year. Moreover, school is
the place where children develop moral,
9. Cyber Bullying social and emotional skills beside
cognitive knowledge. At school, the school
The most recent form of bullying is board, teachers, parents, psychologists,
cyber bullying [9]. bully-specialists, pedagogues, and children
Digital bullying happens mostly through can easily meet each other and work
82 Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşov • Vol. 3 (52) - 2010 • Series VII

committed together to prevent and stop the kinderen, indicaties en knelpunten.

bullying. Stopping violence in general and Lisse. Swets & Zeitlinger B.V., 1995.
bullying in particular requires commitment 3. Van der Meer, B.: Pesten op school,
of everybody involved. It makes it easier to lessuggesties voor leerkrachten,
stop bullying at school if the environment (Bullying at schools, suggestions for
around school – clubs, playground, street, - teachers). Assen. The Netherlands,
have a good collaboration in their efforts to Van Gorcum & Comp, 1997.
counter its effects. 4. Van der Meer, B.: Kinderen en pesten,
Finally teachers and parents need to wat volwassenen ervan moeten weten
know enough about the internet to assist en eraan kunnen doen. (Children and
children in their online activities! bullying, what adults need to know
I hope I‟ve inspired and challenged you about it and what they can do about it)
to prevent and stop bullying! I hope from Assen. The Netherlands, Van Gorcum
now on we are working together for a class & Comp, 2002.
where children can learn and develop in a 5. Van der Pijll, M.: Cijfers over pesten
safe atmosphere. en gepest worden, (Data about
bullying and being bullied). Dutch
Other information may be obtained from Youth Institute, Utrecht. The
the address: [email protected] Netherlands, 2009.
6. Wrightsman, L. S.: Social Psychology
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Brooks/Cole, 1972.
1. Cannon, W.: Bodily changes in pain, 7. http://www.bullying.org
hunger, fear, and rage. New York. 8. http://www.nji.nl
Appleton, 1929. 9. http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/
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Engelen-Snaterse, T.; Mackaay-Kramer, hool/behaviour/tacklingbullying/
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