There are five techniques of neutralization; denial of responsibility, denial of injury, denial of victim, condemnation of the condemners, and the appeal to higher loyalties" (David Matza, 1998, FSU). These theories stress the need for strong social and personal control mechanisms to be instilled in young people early on in their lives, so that individuals have a strong super-ego to control their actions and thwart social influences that encourage a denial of personal responsibility and the reality of the victim's suffering. A good example of this is the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program run by law enforcement to encourage children not to use drugs. The law enforcement officials are supposed to present a positive image of the law to young people, and encourage youths to take responsibility for their actions and resist peer pressure to use drugs -- appealing to the 'higher loyalties' often absent amongst drug users, according to Matza and Sykes (David Matza, 1998, FSU).

Similar principles are manifested in anti-bullying programs, which attempt to circumvent the 'victim denial' that is part of the mindset of many bullies. Often, in schools where bullying is going on, the...

Bullies, not adults 'rule the school.' Programs like "No Excuse for Peer Abuse" communicate to young people the consequences of bullying for victims by humanizing victims and encouraging peers to speak out against bullying. They also attempt to communicate the need for observing ethical norms in cyberspace, given that few social controls have been developed for this new medium (No Excuse for Peer Abuse, 2011, Anti-Bullying Programs )