Peer intervention is the best defence against bullying

But they are also the ones with the real power on the playground – more than parents and teachers. One student confronting a bully is often enough to stop the abuse instantly, Canadian research has found. But support doesn’t even need to be that daring: In a U.S. national survey, victims said that peers helped most by simply spending time with them, and sharing advice.

And yet research suggests that students offer assistance on the scene or later less than 25 per cent of the time. Improve that number by teaching the right skills, experts say, and we might not read so many horrible headlines about teenagers like Jenna Bowers-Bryanton, who would rather die than face the bullies.   Read Full