What Characteristics of Bullying, Bullying Victims, and Schools Are Associated with Increased Reporting of Bullying to School Officials?

By: Anthony Petrosino, Sarah Guckenburg, Jill DeVoe, Thomas L. Hanson

This study, prepared by researchers in WestEd's Learning Innovations Program, tested 51 characteristics of bullying victimization, bullying victims, and bullying victims' schools to determine which were associated with reporting to school officials.

The study found that 11 characteristics in two categories—bullying victimization and bullying victims—showed a significant association with reporting. The study also notes the high percentage of respondents who experienced bullying but did not report it.

This study used data from the 2007 National Crime Victimization Survey School Crime Supplement to examine which of 51 characteristics of bullying victimization, bullying victims, and bullying victims’ schools are associated with increased reporting of bullying to a teacher or other adult at the school. The data showed that 36 percent of bullying victims reported their victimization to a teacher or other adult at their school and that 64 percent did not.

A short summary of the report is also available.

Information about the Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) system and other REL publications can be found at the National Regional Educational Laboratory Program website.