The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has launched the toolkit What Works to Prevent Bullying and Cyberbullying of Children and Adolescents in the Americas, a new resource that brings together evidence, recommendations, and practical tools to prevent and respond to a form of violence that affects millions of children and adolescents across the Region.

The toolkit outlines the extent of bullying and cyberbullying, the toll they take on children and adolescents, and the evidence-based interventions that support prevention and response, PAHO said in a press release. Drawing on evidence from the health, education, and social protection sectors, it also highlights the important role of health services in early identification, comprehensive care, and ongoing support for affected children and adolescents.

“Bullying during childhood and adolescence is a form of peer violence that can have significant consequences for physical, sexual, mental, and emotional health,” said Britta Baer, PAHO Regional Advisor on Violence and Injury Prevention and co-author of the toolkit. “The good news is that it can be prevented. We have evidence on what works, and this toolkit aims to make that evidence accessible to decision-makers, people who work with adolescents, and those who support their development.”