Bullying: What is

it and what

can we do

about it?By: Erin Borland

ED 526

Bullies and Victims in the Schools

What is Bullying?

Bullying occurs when one or more

individuals inflicts physical, verbal,

or emotional abuse on another.

Bullying is when a stronger, more

powerful person hurts or frightens

a smaller or weaker person on

purpose again and again.

Characteristics of Bullies

A bully is someone who seeks

power and control over others.

They probably have low self-

esteem, seek attention, are

irresponsible, and have trouble

following rules. They generally

think that aggression is an okay

way to show their feelings.

Characteristics of Victims

A victim can be anyone who appears to be different in

some way than others. These differences could include

a speech impediment, being short or tall, have a

different color hair, have learning challenges, have

difficulty with coordination, and so many more. They

are generally weaker than the bully; therefore,

unwilling to stand up to the bully, and generally does

what the bully demands.

Why Do People Bully?

People bully because:

They are frustrated

They get some sort of reward or

satisfied feeling

They are victims of abuse/neglect

They are being bullied by someone

else

They are being poorly influenced by

others

They have a poor or no role model

Where Does Bullying Happen?

On the bus

In the bathrooms

In the hallways

In the classroom

On the playground

At the bus stop

In the cafeteria

On the computer

Bullying happens EVERYWHERE!

Types of Bullying

Verbal

Physical

Emotional

Sexual

Cyberbullying

What is Verbal Bullying?

Verbal bullying usually involves:

Name calling

Incessant mocking

And laughing at someone else’s expense

What is Physical Bullying?

Physical bullying can accompany verbal

bullying and includes:

Hitting

Pushing

Kicking

Pinching

Hair pulling

Or threats of physical harm

What is Emotional Bullying?

Emotional bullying is more subtle than other types of

bullying. It can include:

Isolating or excluding someone from activities

Spreading rumors about someone

What is Sexual Bullying?

Sexual bullying involves:

Unwanted physical contact (including

brushing up against someone to make

them feel uncomfortable)

Unwanted abusive or inappropriate sexual

comments

What is Cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is any form of bullying that is

done through:

Email

Text messages

Internet chat rooms

Instant messages

Or any other technological device or

means.

What Are the Effects of

Bullying?

People who are targets of repeated bullying may:

Feel emotionally withdrawn

Have a difficult time interacting with peers

Become depressed

Have low self-esteem

Be afraid to attend school

Become anxious

How Can We Stop Bullying?

We can stop bullying by taking the power

away from the bully. You can do this

when you:

Befriend a victim

Stand up for the victim

Tell an adult

Remember:

Tattling is when you’re trying to get

someone in trouble.

Reporting is when you’re trying to get

someone out of trouble.