Bullying

The intention to hurt others, either physically or mentally, is known as bullying. Every person has the right to be treated with respect and no one deserves to be a victim of bullying. Here are some examples of different forms of bullying:
• Physical – The use of violence such as hitting, kicking, pushing, pinching, scratching and spitting
• Emotional – excluding, tormenting, blackmail, ridicule, humiliation
• Verbal – calling people names, starting rumours, teasing, taunting, making threats
• Sexual – abusive comments of a sexual nature or unwanted physical contact
• Specific bullying - using a persons’ nationality, skin colour, hair colour, gender, sexuality, special need or disability as a reason to bully, by teasing, taunting, threatening, using choice vocabulary, gestures and exclusion
• Cyber – The use of ICT to deliberately upset o Internet - chat rooms and email misuse o Mobile phones – bullying through text messages and phone calls o Misuse of associated technologies – camera/video facilities
Bullying could result in the victim displaying some of the following behaviours:
• Injuries – as a result of physical bullying
• Self harm/suicide attempts – as a result of severe low self-esteem or depression
• Low self esteem
• Eating disorders
• Absconding from school
• Become withdrawn
• Anxieties/nervousness/shyness
• Displaying aggressive/unkind behaviour towards others
• Stammers
• Sleepless nights/nightmares
• Bedwetting/wetting in the day
• Stealing – perhaps to pay bullies or to feed themselves if food has been taken
• Crying/obvious unhappiness
• Paranoia – if bully is anonymous (cyber bully)
• Becoming afraid to use particular methods of transport or visit particular places
• Afraid to use internet/mobile phone
• Not wanting to go anywhere alone
Schools have a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to issues of