Bullying

9th Oct 2024

Bullying

Bullying is defined as “behaviour by an individual or group usually repeated over time which intentionally hurts another individual or group either physically or emotionally”

Bullying is the intentional hurting of a person or group, and it usually occurs when a relationship involves an imbalance of power, a person can become the victim of bullying at any age

Bullying can have a significant impact on a person’s Mental and Physical Health.

A bully who can also be defined as the perpetrator, can use Physical / Psychological or Emotional abuse as part of their tactics to intentionally hurt a person or group

Physical Abuse: This can involve kicking, pushing, hitting or theft
Verbal Abuse: This can involve name calling, threats, racial or homophobic comments
Emotional / Psychological: This can involve Isolating someone from games or activities, not allowing them to be part of the peer group

Bullying can also occur in many other forms. Further information is provided within our resource links below

Signs that a Child or Adult are being bullied include a change in their behaviour, noticing a child or adult becoming more anxious or fearful, starting to avoid certain locations or not wanting to attend events or activities they once enjoyed. Their attitude towards a learning or work environment has changed and become negative resulting in a lack of engagement and enthusiasm

Within the workplace, an employee who starts to become withdrawn, takes increased amounts of sick leave, does not want to engage with colleagues like they used to or attend any social activities outside of work can also be a sign that a person is being bullied and doesn’t want to disclose or discuss what is happening

Changes in behaviours should be taken seriously and there is often a reason why these changes take place which shouldn’t be ignored

With the increase of social media and use of the internet, bullying is no longer limited to a learning environment or workplace, and often continues online which is known as Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying means the victim cannot escape the perpetrator or group and the abuse continues, just in another form

The list of resources below is here to help and support you and can also be shared with others who you know may find this information resource helpful

The resources cover different types of bullying, with the aim of supporting Children, Adults, Parents and Caregivers