How Long before It Hurts?

Long-term bullying is an area which has not been specifically investigated. Yet, its consequences and susceptibility to change may be very different from short-term bullying episodes. This article sets out to look at some of the issues involved and draws on the findings of two studies, both of which have relevance to the phenomenon of long-term bullying. The first findings are those of a follow-up study which looked at the progress of anti-bullying policies in secondary schools. The second findings are from a pilot study which investigated students' feelings about long-term bullying. The outcomes of these studies suggest that a small percentage of students may be bullied for a long period of time and that this more persistent bullying may need focused, long-term solutions to resolve it.