Yes. Kids who have had bad experiences with bullies are often embarrassed to tell their parents about the experience or ask for help from an adult. Children can become depressed over the bullying and end up being afraid to go to school.

We teach children to follow the rules for reporting such behavior while in school, but bullying can carry over to the neighborhood playground, the bus stop, or the walk home from school. Sometimes there are no adults to intervene and children need to feel that they can handle bullies on their own if necessary.

Children become less fearful of the school environment as they learn to defend themselves effectively and as their confidence grows they are less likely to be the target of bullies.