Bullying
What is Bullying?
Bullying is a wilful, conscious desire to intimidate and hurt another. It is behaviour that is offensive, abusive, and malicious or insulting; the infliction, real or threatened, of physical, verbal, written, emotional or sexual abuse.
- Physical – pushing, kicking, hitting, violence and threats, extortion of money or possessions.
- Verbal – name calling, sarcasm, spreading rumours, constant criticism.
- Written – abusive letters, e-mails or text messages.
- Emotional – exclusion, victimisation, ridicule.
- Sexual – unwelcome advances, abusive comments, the display of offensive material.
Bullying may relate to age, gender, religion, disability, racial origin or any personal characteristic of an individual.
It can be persistent or an isolated incident. Bullying can be committed by an individual or a group.
Emotional bullying seems to be more common than physical violence. It can also be the most difficult type of bullying to cope with or prove.