Background: This study fills a gap in the literature by examining how school staff members view bullying and sexual harassment and their role in preventing both. Given recent legislation, increasingly more attention is paid to bully prevention; however, student-on-student sexual harassment is less addressed. Methods: Four focus groups were…

Gender-based bullying is the most common form of violence that students encounter in U.S. public schools. Several large-scale surveys reveal its consequences for students. Fewer studies examine how school staff members make sense of and respond to such violence. The authors address this knowledge gap by presenting analyses of interviews conducted…

Establishes the relationships between prejudice or intolerance and hate-motivated school violence, describing the aspects of school climate or culture that foster prejudice, stereotyping, and scapegoating. Offers examples of interventions that educators might use, both individually and systematically, to create a school culture of tolerance and…

From kindergarten to college, transgender and gender-nonconforming students face many challenges in school and classroom settings. The 2003 School Climate Survey, conducted by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, shows that more than 25% of transgender students reported experiencing verbal or physical harassment because of their gender…

One need not look hard to find evidence of concern related to the nature of student behavior in our schools. School violence, aggression, bullying, and harassment (e.g., racial or sexual) are often cited as challenging behaviors confronting educators and community leaders. Unfortunately, most schools address these concerns with aversive…