School Bullying

"Bullying involves an initial desire to hurt, this desire is expressed in action, someone is hurt, the action is directed by a more powerful person or group, it is without justification, it is typically repeated, and it is done so with evident enjoyment." Ken Rigby (1998). Bullying includes a wide variety of behaviors, most all involve a person or a group whom repeatedly trying to harm someone who is weak and at a vulnerable point in their life.

Attacks (such as hitting, threatening or intimidating, maliciously teasing and taunting, name-calling, making sexual remarks, and stealing or damaging belongings) or more subtle, indirect attacks (such as spreading rumors or encouraging others to reject or exclude someone) cause considerable damage to the individual.

  

Bullying can be direct to indirect harassment, ranging from minor irritation to major assault. People whom engage in this from of bullying often say they are, just having a bit of fun, but some individuals go beyond fun breaking the law raping,stabbing and physically harming their victim.

A student can be bullied by one person or more for years.

Bullying can happen sporadically or over a long period of time.

Bullying occurs in primary, secondary, boarding school and college institutions.

Students whom are targeted often feel powerless and alone. This is critical issue because the extent of the type of abuse be it physical, psychological and other damage that injures the victim, serves to have a lasting impact. The impact on the target is made worse by fear of future attacks and fear others won't help or carer. The bullies might not realise at a conscious level that their behaviours are mean or abusive. At an unconscious level the bully may not knows that they are underming the victim that they're taking the target's power away and self respect away.

Articles to view

COPS: Bullying in School
Safe School Project
School Bullying
Bullying at School