Bullying had recently become a hot topic in the news. Several different cases involving both children and adults are making headlines. Perhaps the most infamous cases of bullying leading to violence occurred fifteen years ago at Columbine High School in Columbine, Colorado. Once professionals were able to understand what caused Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold to create such a traumatic event, people began to learn how to prevent this type of disaster from happening again. Nearly half of children are either bullies or victims of bullying. The prevalence of bullying in elementary schools is rapidly increasing across the United States. Connecticut reported 1,431 cases of bullying within its school districts at the end of the 2012-2013 school year (AP Connecticut). Numbers like this are just the beginning of a trend that Americans won't see the end of anytime soon. As the definition of harassment evolves, so do the number of reported cases. Olweus, a highly regarded research program, breaks down bullying into three components: threat with intent to harm, repeated violent or degrading behavior, and the power differential between the bully and the victim (Bullying). Although there are many other definitions, this is the most widely accepted. When this behavior is repeated, the effects become even more obvious. It is important to understand that bullying affects everyone involved. Most easily visible effects are those that are prevalent in the victim, such as physical damage. Bullying a young child can result in broken bones or cuts. In many cases, the most serious damage includes psychological problems such as low self-esteem and depression. It is problems like these that lead to violence against themselves... middle of paper ... the effects that can exist if they are not recognized. Many teens and adults experience constant bullying over which they feel they have no control. Although it may not seem so serious at first, as the problem worsens, so do its effects. The best way to combat bullying is to discover its causes and then predict the results and effects. Works Cited “AP Connecticut”. News day. Associated Press, January 20, 2014. Web. January 22, 2014. “Intimidation.” Consulting Encyclopedia. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, 2008. Reference Credo. Internet. January 22, 2014. “Cyberbullying: Statistics and Tips” I-SAFE Inc. Np, nd Web. January 20, 2014. “Effects of Bullying.” Home. US Department of Health and Human Services, nd Web. January 27, 2014. “Workplace Bullying.” » Business: the ultimate resource. London: A&C Black, 2009. Reference Credo. Internet. January 22 2014.