What is Bullying?

A General Definition

Bullying can be defined as an abuse of power by one or more people through repeated hurtful or aggressive behaviour with the intention to cause emotional or physical harm to a 'weaker' person.

A child's concept of bullying varies with age and conceptual development. In its simplest form, especially at Key Stage One, bullying is any incident perceived by the victim or any one else as bullying. As students grow older their views become more detailed and specific: it can be a serious one off incident or more usually is an on-going situation. It occurs when an individual or group intentionally abuses their power and takes pleasure in causing physical hurt or emotional distress to someone less powerful.

Bullying is an abuse of power

It is important to differentiate bullying from other forms of misbehaviour, as it is very easy to label any incident as "bullying". If two friends fall-out argue and fight it is a disagreement. Single incidents should not be classified as bullying unless the same child repeats the behaviour with another child. The whole school community needs to have a clear and accepted definition of bullying.

The Harmful Effect of Bullying

The impact on the mental health and emotional well being of victims can be profound. It can be of short- term duration or have serious negative consequences on their future opportunities in life.

1. Health Consequences

Targets may suffer from a variety of physical complaints such as fits, faints, vomiting, limb pains, paralysis, hyperventilation, headaches, stomach aches, bed wetting, sleeping difficulties and sadness. (Smith 2002).

Targets are more likely to show signs of general depression, suicidal thoughts and somatic complaints (Rigby & Slee 1993). They may become anxious, insecure, lonely and unhappy.

In the U.K. it is estimated that at least 16 children commit suicide every year because of bullying. The term "bullycide" is used to describe these incidents. Katz et al (2001) found that 1 in 4 girls who had experienced violence from bullies had made a suicide attempt.

Bullying can kill

Young women in particular lose confidence, feel inadequate and develop low self-esteem. This in turn may manifest itself in a range of self-harming behaviours such as self-injury, drug and alcohol abuse, eating disorders and abusive relationships. As adult's victims of bullying may continue to suffer from anxiety, depression, loneliness, lack of trust and difficulties in forming lasting relationships.

2. Educational Achievement

Learning and achievement may be curtailed by bullying. Students find it difficult to cope with the expectations of the school curriculum and the stress of bullying. Something has to give and often it will be attendance at school. The main coping mechanism for girls experiencing bullying is to exclude themselves from school (Osler et al 2002).

A poor attender will soon become a truant if the problem is not resolved. This leads to a downward spiral because frequent absence will make it difficult to keep up with course work. The easy option then is to opt out altogether with the result that career options become limited. Poverty, social exclusion and early motherhood are all potential consequences. An issue for school is that girls absence is often undetected or treated more leniently than for boys (Osler et al 2002).

Bullying affects learning

Bullying: Potential Roadblocks to Situations

The Pupils

• Pupils ashamed / frightened to admit to being bullied.
• Pupils unsure what to do or who to talk to.
• Pupils worried by consequences of speaking out.
• Pupils' previous experience of "telling" was negative as no-one "listened" or responded.
• Peer group pressure/collective responsibility is either a road- block or a potential solution.

the staff

• Staff unaware or unsure of real situation in their school.
• Staff unclear of procedures, actions or line responsibility.
• Staff unsure of how to help victim or sanction bully.
• Staff complacency. "We don't have bullying in our school."
• Staff unaware or unclear about the external help available.
• Staff acceptance that bullying is normal, inevitable, incurable, harmless and an essential part of the process of growing up and therefore unwilling to tackle bullying seriously.

the school

• School lacking a positive ethos that promotes student participation and involvement.
• School does not have clear procedures for pupils, parents and staff to follow
• School does not respond, or listens to pupils concerns

parents

• Parents unsure what to do. How to support child or lacks knowledge of schools commitment or ability to tackle the problem.