Strategies to Prevent Bullying in Elementary SchoolsIntroductionBullying is an everyday occurrence in schools around the world (Murray-Harvey, Skryzpiec, & Slee, 2012). Bullying generally involves “physical, verbal, or relational aggression designed to cause or threaten physical or emotional harm to the intended victim, which is inflicted directly or through technological means” (Banks, Blake, Ewing, & Lund, 2012, p. 246). Although bullying and harassment occur every day, they can be prevented through the use of effective prevention and intervention strategies. Bullying Prevention StrategiesResearch shows that there are several effective strategies to help prevent bullying and harassment. The effectiveness of these strategies depends on a few factors: the dynamics of the school and the willingness of staff to implement these strategies (Banks, Blake, Ewing, & Lund, 2012). Before a strategy can be implemented, it is important that faculty, staff, and students understand the definition of bullying (Brunner and Lewis, 2009). There are many misconceptions about what bullying actually is. Often, what is reported as harassment is actually a one-time event. It is best to understand that bullying is made up of three elements: intent to harm, intimidating behaviors over time, and power imbalance (Brunner & Lewis, 2009). Once a definition of bullying has been established with faculty, staff, and students, additional strategies to prevent bullying and harassment can be implemented. Educate faculty, staff, and students about the signs of bullying, as well as school and district repercussions. is another effective set of strategies to prevent bullying and harassment (Brunner and Lewis...... middle of article ......on, D., Jenson, J. and Williford, A. (2013). Effects of Youth Issues Prevention Program on Patterns of Bullying and Victimization in Elementary and Middle School, Social Work Research, 37(4), 361-372 Accessed April 15, 2014. Brunner. , J. and Lewis, D. (2009). and Safe Schools: 27 Prevention and Intervention Strategies: Corwin Press. Heritage Elementary School (2013). ://classroom.peoriaud.k12.az.us/sites/dkidd/General/ACCEPTABLE%20USE%20OF%20SCHOOL%20COMPUTERS.pdfMurray-Harvey, R., Skryzpiec, G. and Slee, P. (2012). effective and ineffective management of bullying, assessed by informed professionals and used by student victims. Australian Journal of Guidance and Counseling, 22(1), 122-138. 04 15, 2014