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Issue

Bullying

At least one child in every six is being bullied at Australian schools. And that’s only those who report it. Bullying can also happen at work and online. Are you bullied? Do you know someone who is? Find out more.

Submitted 4/30/2006 By kellyendo Views 41997 Comments 16 Updated 3/2/2009


Photographer : Mark Walley

What is bullying?

Bullying is when you are verbally, physically, socially or psychologically hurt by your employer (or manager), another person or a group of people. There are three main types of bullying: general, workplace and cyber. Many people are bullied and don’t even realise it.

Bullying can be:
  • physical: punching, kicking, shoving, hitting etc
  • verbal: teasing and name calling
  • psychological: intimidation and threats
  • social: excluding, isolating, spreading rumours etc
  • sexual: touching and verbal harassment.

Cyber bullying

Cyber bullying is a new form of bullying. It involves using technologies such as computers, mobile phones or other devices to abuse and harass people.

Typical cyber bullying behaviour includes:
  • harassing by text messages, instant messages and email
  • falsely using someone’s username to spread rumours
  • posting crude and embarrassing pictures on blogs and websites

Workplace bullying

Workplace bullying behaviour includes:
  • intense criticism (usually of petty details)
  • fault seeking
  • humiliation
  • isolation and exclusion
  • overruling authority and ideas
  • deliberately holding back information needed for getting work done properly
  • giving tasks impossible to complete by deadline or meaningless tasks that have nothing to do with the job

Why do people do it?

Many bullies have self-image or self-confidence issues. Most of the time, bullies are people who:
  • are trying to gain power
  • are trying to look cool
  • are trying to fit in with a group
  • want to get their way with everything
  • want to feel important
  • feel unhappy
  • have low self esteem and confidence
  • are seeking attention
  • are copying what they have seen others do before, or what has been done to them.

Workplace bullies are slightly different. They are:
  • usually bosses or superiors
  • often insecure and lack social skills
  • lacking in empathy
  • controlling of others.

Who do they do it to?

Bullies tend to pick on people who make them look strong, such as those who’ll get upset easily. This may be someone who has trouble defending themself or who will give a big reaction.

Workplace bullies are different from general bullies and usually pick on people that are threatening to their position or reputation as a worker. Victims tend to be people who are very capable and well liked by others. They usually have a high anger tolerance and are less likely to speak up.

What can you do about it?

Bullying is a problem that is rarely solved on its own, so telling someone is a necessary step to ending it. To find out more about what you can do if you or someone you know is being bullied head to http://www.reachout.com.au.

What’s being done to address bullying

Bullying is now recognised as a major problem that needs appropriate attention. Most schools, universities and workplaces have anti-bullying policies, although strategies, programs and procedures for better solutions are in high demand.

A really extensive website to find out more information is: http://www.bullyonline.org/

How do I know this?

Bullying No Way!, http://www.bullyingnoway.com.au

Canada Safety Council, Bullying in the workplace http://www.safety-council.org/info/OSH/bullies.html

Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, Bullying in the workplace http://www.hreoc.gov.au/info_for_employers/fact/wo...

Kidshealth.org, ¬Dealing with bullies, http://kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/emotion/bullies.html

Reachout!, http://www.reachout.com.au

Rigby, K, Bullying in schools and what to do about it, http://www.education.unisa.edu.au/bullying/

Stop Bullying Now, http://www.stopbullyingnow.com/interven.htm

Discuss Now

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RSS Comments
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LukeH 12-May-2011

Cyber bullying is something that many parents don't understand because it's never been explained to them. I ran some cybersafety workshops with students in 2009 and 2010. Most kids are very aware of the issue even if they haven't seen it first-hand. When we did a workshop for parents, many felt like they simply didn't have the understanding or resources to deal with cyber bullying. So I think parental education and support is important too as well as the education and support we provide for kids.

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snusnugrassroots 21-Sep-2010

I've always wondered why there isn't some kind of emotional intelligence program in schools. Studies show that gen y is significantly less empathetic than previous generations. No wonder we get a bad rep for being selfish and narcissistic. I was surrounded by assholes growing up too and now I find it really hard to trust anyone. People need to wake up and realise we came from the same big bang and share 99.9% of the same DNA, the survival and prosperity of our species depends on unity and nondualistic thinking- the earlier kids become conscious of this the better.

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Flower_wolf 25-Nov-2009

It's horrible what people do espesially in schools some students have been driven to suicide it gets that bad and I know what it's like to be bullied, I used to get bullied alot in primary school and some of the things people say can really hurt you if it constantly happening. The thing I am conncernd about is that people have tryed to stop it but they still do it.

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iGenociiDeV3 25-Nov-2009

Bullying is usually in the school playgrounds.. well thats what I usually hear about. It can also happen by computers This is called cyber bullying. Bullying can end up in a bad situation. The victim can end up damaged physically and / or mentally.

We should try and stop bullying both ways: Cyber and Physical.


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patricialovee97 25-Nov-2009

Bullying is usually in the school playgrounds.. well thats what I usually hear about. It can also happen by technology. This is called cyber bullying. Bullying can end up in a bad situation. The victim can end up damaged physically and / or mentally.

We should try and stop bullying both ways: Cyber and Physical.

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