SAY 'NO' TO BULLY

Bullying is an intentional act of aggression, based on an imbalance of power that is meant to harm a victim either physically or psychologically. Bullies usually operate alone or in small groups and choose to victimize individuals who they perceive as vulnerable.

Bullying is an intimidation of weaker person: the process of intimidating or mistreating someone weaker or in a more vulnerable situation (MSN Encarta).

Bullying is an unreasonable and inappropriate workplace behavior includes bullying, which intimidates, offends, degrades, insults or humiliates an employee, possibly in front of co-workers, clients or customers and which includes physical or psychological behavior (Law Society of NSW).

Bullying: persistent, offensive, abusive, intimidating or insulting behavior, abuse of power or unfair penal sanctions which makes the recipient feel upset, threatened, humiliated or vulnerable, which undermines their self-confidence and which may cause them to suffer stress (MSF Union).

Bullying: Any incident, in which a person is abused, threatened or assaulted in circumstances relating to their work. These behaviors would originate from customers, co-workers at any level of the organization. This definition would include all forms or harassment, bullying, intimidation, physical threats/assaults, robbery and other intrusive behaviors (International Labor Organization).

A person is bullied when he or she is exposed, repeatedly and over time, to negative actions on the part of one or more other persons, and he or she has difficulty defending himself or herself. This definition includes three important components:

• Bullying is aggressive behavior that involves unwanted, negative actions.
• Bullying involves a pattern of behavior repeated over time.
• Bullying involves an imbalance of power or strength.

Types of Bullying

Bullying can take on many forms. Students are asked if they have been bullied in any of these nine ways:

1. Verbal bullying including derogatory comments and bad names.
2. Bullying through social exclusion or isolation.
3. Physical bullying such as hitting, kicking, shoving, and spitting.
4. Bullying through lies and false rumors.
5. Having money or other things taken or damaged by students who bully.
6. Being threatened or being forced to do things by students who bully.
7. Racial bullying.
8. Sexual bullying.
9. Cyber bullying (via cell phone or Internet).

Why Students Bully?

Information about bullying suggests that there are three interrelated reasons why students bully.

1. Students who bully have strong needs for power and (negative) dominance.
2. Students who bully find satisfaction in causing injury and suffering to other
students.
3. Students who bully are often rewarded in some way for their behavior with
material or psychological rewards.

Sources: Olweus, creator of the Olweus Bullying Prevention program and his book, Bullying at School: What We Know and What We Can Do.

*By: Nursazella