Bullying
What is Bullying?
Bullying is the repetition of aggressive behaviour directed at an individual with the intent to intimidate, abuse, or even coerce one individual to harm another either physically or verbally. Bullying can come in many forms, but there are 3 prevailing characteristics:
1: Intentional - Behaviour was intentionally used to inflict harm on another person
2: Repeated - Aforementioned behaviors occur in a repeated fashion over a period of time
3: Imbalance - The bully has more physical/social power than the victim, creating an imbalance of power
In an instance of bullying, the people involved are more than just the bully and the victim. While the bully directly inflicts repetitive harm onto their victim, anybody who has witnessed bullying and turned a blind eye is indirectly involved as a bystander. Anyone has potential to be at least one of these roles, however they move so fluidly it could change on a frequent basis depending upon the situation. Additionally, it’s important not to label anyone specifically, as this may impact someone’s behaviour.
Types of Bullying
Somebody could be bullied in a variety of different ways…
Physical - this involves hurting someone’s body and/or possessions.
Verbal - this involves saying/writing things that upset someone.
Cyber - this involves sending/posting harmful material online to hurt someone.
How does bullying affect the victim?
Victims of bullying suffer immensely from their experiences. Compared to those without such experiences, victims of bullying have increased risks of developing disorders such as somatic or borderline personality disorder to social anxiety and depression. Excessive and repeated bullying could result in the victim developing suicidal thoughts and acts of self harm. Victims of bullying may also find it harder to make and/or keep friends and face difficulties in future employment.
Why do People Bully?
Despite many believing all bullies are just straight out “mean”, there are many different reasons for an individual to bully another. Bullies may have been previous victims of bullying themselves. Using bullying as a defense mechanism, bullies feel that when the attention is turned towards somebody else, their own insecurities are masked and their chances of being a victim go down. Having stress or trauma that is difficult to deal with may also result in somebody to take their feelings out on another individual. Similarly, neglection or issues within an individual’s family may lead them to turn this negativity into hostility towards others.
Bullying is always wrong and these reasons do not justify a bully's actions, but be aware that somebody acting this way may be reaching out for help.
How Bullying Effects Widespread Communities
In most school settings where bullying occurs, students may drop out as the fear of or experiences of bullying generate negative impacts on their learning. Additionally, bullying is one of the main causes of school shootings. According to the Safe Schools Iniative’s report, 71% of attackers feel persecuted, bullied, or attacked prior to the shootings. A prime example of a ripple effect of bullying taking place in a school environment is creating overwhelming feelings of anxiety throughout the school, & its students.
What Can We Do About Bullying?
Learn to recognise the warning signs of a victim: e.g. unexplained injuries, changes in behaviour, habits, or attitude, and fluctuations in mood, etc. Also learn to recognise the warning signs of a bully: e.g. getting into fights, being friends with other bullies, unexplained new belongings, newfound aggressiveness.
If you are aware of bullying going on, respond to bullying in a way that’s discouraging, educational, & effective. Inform a trusted person with authority about the situation and never attempt to bully the bully. Teach others how to respond to bullying correctly and never ignore what you see.
