Scientific evidence to tackle and eliminate bullying: educational contexts free of violence

Bullying is a form of violence against children (VAC) that is prevalent in schools and educational contexts globally. Article 19 of the UN on the Rights of the Child (1989) states, "Children have the right to be protected from being mistreated, physically and mentally.” When children suffer any form of VAC, their physical and mental health is affected. This may impact their opportunities to obtain successful outcomes at school and their future wellbeing as fully active citizens.

Child victims of bullying experience trauma, poorer results, more significant health problems, and emotional and social adjustment difficulties. In the long run, victims of bullying can also experience social and psychological disorders that may affect their personal and professional lives.

Education can play a crucial role in supporting children who are victims of bullying to become more resilient and can guarantee safe environments where children may gain the strength to face aggression and violence. Educational actions and programs can offer opportunities for children to address violence and promote coordinated responses oriented to supporting children and protecting victims.

We welcome research and academic perspectives on all of the following themes and those adjacent:

• Evidence on successful educational programs and actions tackling and eliminating bullying. What educational actions and programs successfully tackle and eliminate bullying among schools in different contexts?
• Contributions from socio-neuroscientific research to overcoming bullying and its consequences in the short-medium and long term. How can neuroscience contribute to changing the personal memories of victims to eliminate their trauma and other social and psychological disorders caused by bullying?
• Successful actions to tackle and eliminate bullying framed within the curriculum and instruction perspective. How can educational actions (strategies, methodologies, approaches, etc.) promote resiliency and safer environments from which to gain strength to face adversity through empowerment?
• Educational models or perspectives on overcoming bullying episodes. What educational approaches provide scientific evidence for overcoming bullying situations and their consequences?
• Successful community work actions to eliminate bullying. How can we successfully involve families and other educational community members to eliminate bullying?

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3 and SDG 4.