What Causes Bullying?
Two things are common in human groups:
1. Aggressive behaviour
2. Inequalities of power
What can this lead to?
Possibility of a bullying situation!!!!
Add to that the fact that all humans are different
· Some will be more of risk of being a target
· Some may get satisfaction from bullying
Common Features
INTENT - it is deliberate!
REPEATED - it happens more than once!
HARMFUL - it causes physical or emotional damage!
POWER IMBALANCE - it is difficult for those being bullied to defend themselves
Types of Bullying
Physical:
Hitting, kicking, spitting, throwing stones or pushing. Getting another person to assault someone.
Note: There has been a lot of press attention on 'Happy Slapping' recently, ie., when someone/a group of people assault someone else and record it on their mobile phone. This can then be sent to third parties for their viewing. It is important to point out that this is NOT bullying but assault. This is against the law and should be reported to and dealt with by the Police.
Verbal:
Verbal insults, name calling, racist or sexist remarks. 'Gay' or 'lesbian' used as an insult. Persuading another person to insult someone, spreading malicious rumours, obvious whispering.
Indirect:
Threatening and obscene gestures, intimidation by staring and 'dirty looks,' sending nasty or threatening text or e-mail messages. Removing and hiding belongings, deliberate exclusion from a group or activity, ignoring.
Cyberbullying (Online Bullying or E-Bullying)
Includes:
Internet - either by e-mail or 'site victimisation' (when someone sets up an Internet site for the purpose of victimising an individual/ group )
Mobile phones:
Text messages, picture/video clip messages
Homophobic Bullying:
Due to sexual orientation or a 'perceived' sexual orientation.
Information From The leicester LGB Centre, Homophobic Bullying is a problem that is potentially damaging to a lot of young people whether they identify as being Lesbian, Gay or Bisexual (LGB) or not. This can happen anywhere and does.However, school does tend to be a big problem and also coming to and going from school.
Statistics show that many young people who are bullied on grounds of their sexuality can impact greatly on their futures in terms of achievements, relationship building, confidence and general well being. Self harming figures of young LGB people are proportionally high within the wider community.
Homophobic bullying can manifest itself in many ways. It can be done directly by:
Verbally abusing someone, examples of which are name calling, shouts of abuse, also writing on books, bags, walls, bus stops etc.
Physical bullying that can include punching, kicking, fights and pushing.
Indirect bullying that can include intimidation, dirty looks, starting rumours, falling out of friendship groups, isolation, texting and e-mails.
Bullying on a school bus
We are working with the Safer Transport Team who monitor and work to prevent anti-social behaviour on school transport. They have provided the following information which contains advice on what to do if you or someone you know is being bullied whilst on the school bus.
- Bullying on School Transport (MS Word, 292 Kb)
Click here to find out more about the different roles people may take in a bullying situation...