www.wiltshire.gov.uk
14 Oct 2008, Time:09:05
Bullying
Bullying is:
- A harmful, hurtful, frightening, and isolating experience
- Perceived differently by different people – for example a bully may not realise they are bullying others; ‘victims’ of bullying may react in different ways
- Widespread – research shows that half of all children will be bullied at some point in their school lives
- A serious problem - 16 students commit suicide every year as a result of bullying
Bullying can be:
- Direct - physical or verbal aggression, extortion, threats and intimidation
- Indirect – exclusion, isolation, spreading rumours, sending malicious emails or text messages
- See the page on examples for more information
Bullying can:
- Be about race, religion, ethnicity, nationality or colour; gender or sexual orientation; class or background; disability; or any perceived ‘differences’. See the diversity pages for more information
- Be carried out by girls and boys, children and adults
- Be carried out against girls and boys, children and adults
- Be persistent
- Happen anywhere, although most commonly it happens in school
Bullying can lead to:
- Truancy
- Vigilante reprisal activity, including between whole families
- Health problems, including eating disorders
- Self harm
- Substance misuse
- Suicide or even the murder of the victim
At its most extreme, bullying can be one or a range of criminal acts, including intimidation and harassment, physical assault, actual or grievous bodily harm, theft and robbery. However, prosecution under British law can be difficult, especially when the bullying child is under 10 years old.
Children who bully others need support and help as well. They may have experienced difficulties in their lives that may have led to their actions. Reporting concerns may enable them to get help.
If you have any comments or suggestions about the safer schools pages, please send them to saferschools@wiltshire.gov.uk or fill in and return our feedback form.
