Bullying

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A person or group of people continuously tormenting, intimidating, verbally/emotionally harassing or physically hurting another person characterises bullying. Bullying can occur in any setting where people interact with one another, for example, school, the workplace, social groups or neighbourhoods. Bullying can occur among both adults and children but is more common among children and adolescents.

Research suggests bullies may behave the way they do to be perceived as popular or to get attention, or they could be acting out of jealousy. Bullies may also behave the way they do because they are bullied themselves. Whatever the cause, bullying can be extremely distressing for the individual who is on the receiving end. Male bullies are often physically strong and tend to pick on weaker individuals. Girls also tend to pick on more sensitive individuals but torment verbally rather than physically. Both forms of bullying are traumatic and can leave emotional scars that can take years to heal.

There are many ways in which an individual can be bullied, however common types of bulling include:

Racist comments

Homophobic comments

Name calling

Comments about family or how hard an individual works

Making upsetting jokes about a person

Damaging a persons pocessions

Comments about weight and/or looks

Kicking, hitting, pushing, slapping, punching, biting

Comments about a person’s disability or medical condition

Telling people not to be friends with another individual

Threats and intimidation

Text messages or silent phone calls

Spreading rumours

With the increasing popularity of new technologies such as email, mobile phones, text messages, instant messaging, websites, blogs etc. a new form of bullying known as cyberbullying has emerged. Cyberbullying involves using the technologies listed above to repeatedly intimidate targets over cyberspace.

Unfortunately many victims of bullying are very good at hiding their feelings and may not talk to anyone, which leaves the bully’s free to continue their torment. According to some statistics, around 16 children in the UK kill themselves each year due to distress over bullying.

Signs for parents/adults that a child is being bullied often include:

Anxiety

Insomnia

Increased aggressive behaviour

Withdrawn behaviour

Physical signs e.g. cuts and bruises

Bad temper/moody

Falling out with previously good friends

Refusal to go to school

Advice for individuals being bullied

If you’re being bullied, tell someone you trust. This may be your parents, your teacher, a relation, your doctor or someone close to you that can give you support. However hard this may seem, the bullying may not stop until this happens. Bullies often use manipulative ways to try to ensure their target keeps quiet, but don't let this happen.

Awareness of bullying has increased dramatically in recent years and most people will be sympathetic and want to help. Counselling for bullying is also widely available, for children and adults.

Further Help

Childline

Bullying.co.uk

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