Bullying Prevention

What is MCHB’s role in preventing bullying?

We co-chair the Federal Partners in Bullying Prevention (FPBP) group.

• We lead FPBP to provide resources through StopBullying.gov.
  • StopBullying.gov serves as a clearinghouse for public health specialists, researchers, policymakers, community groups, and youth.
  • Federal and community experts contribute. They come from the areas of health, education, and justice, among others.

We develop and share research, guidance, and resources.

Since 2001, we have worked to prevent bullying. We help state public health agencies to improve their response to bullying by:

• Adding “Bullying Prevalence” in 2015 as a National Performance Measure in the State Title V MCH Block Program.
• Sponsoring guidance such as:
  • Strengthen the Evidence for Maternal and Child Health Programs: National Performance Measure 9 Bullying Evidence Review (PDF - 1 MB). This helps state health departments develop their strategy.
  • Assessing Prevention Capacity & Implementing Change (PDF - 1 MB). This helps state health departments to find their gaps and needs. When used over time, this tool can help state health departments measure their progress.
• Funding the Children’s Safety Network to provide resources such as guides, webinars, publications, and research. Some of their resources are:
  • CSN Bullying Prevention Resource Guide May 2020
  • Bullying Victimization among U.S. Youth August 2018
• Co-funding a 2016 study with experts from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine:
  • The study resulted in Preventing Bullying Through Science, Policy, and Practice.
  • The FPBP acted on that report. It produced the Committee on the Biological and Psychosocial Effects of Peer Victimization: Lessons for Bullying Prevention.

Why is bullying prevention an important issue?

Millions of youth are impacted by bullying each year. In 2017, about 20% of youth ages 12 through 18 reported being bullied at school.

Where can I find other resources?

The CDC also provides many resources for public health specialists and researchers through its violence prevention work.

Parents, caregivers, and teachers can download SAMHSA’s Knowbullying app.