Do Anti-Bullying Laws Reduce Youth Violence?

Date

2015

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Institute for the Study of Labor

Abstract

This study is the first to comprehensively examine the effect of state anti-bullying laws (ABLs) on youth violence. Using data from a variety of sources – including the Youth Risk Behavior Surveys, Uniform Crime Reports, and newly collected data on school shootings – we find that the enforcement of strict, comprehensive school district anti-bullying policies is associated with a 7 to 13 percent reduction in school violence and an 8 to 12 percent reduction in bullying. Our results also show that anti-bullying policy mandates are associated with a reduction in minor teen school shooting deaths and violent crime arrests. A causal interpretation of our results is supported by falsification tests on older young adults for whom ABLs do not bind. (Author Abstract)

Description

Keywords

child abuse, youth, adolescents, prevention, research

Citation

Sabia, Joseph J. ; Bass, Brittany. (2015). Do Anti-Bullying Laws Reduce Youth Violence?. IZA Discussion Paper No. 9201, 1-50.

DOI