Bullying, also known as peer abuse or peer harassment, is defined as behavior that is intended to hurt others and that is repeated over time. Bullies engage in hurtful actions and try to control others through an unjust use of power. Although bullying is often mischaracterized as a relatively benign social interaction, its effects can be as serious as those resulting from child abuse, rape, sexual harassment and racism. Like these other behaviors, bullying involves an imbalance of power where the aggressor blames the target and the target often blames him or herself for the abuse- the damage can be devastating.

Bullying should not be considered just part of growing up- it is far more extensive than the occasional teasing in the school yard. It is not always obvious or recognizable at first glance. Bullying can be:

• Physical- hitting, beating, tripping kicking, and the taking or damaging of belongings
• Verbal- teasing, name calling, threatening remarks, and rumor spreading
• Indirect- abuse by social exclusion, the manipulation of child’s social network through gossip, or the damaging of peer relationships
  

The characteristics of bullying change depending on the circumstance and the children involved. Boys tend to engage in physical bullying behavior while girls tend to engage in more indirect behaviors. Peer abuse becomes less obvious with age when incidents are more likely to be indirect for both genders. Reports of bullying behavior decrease in high school, but it is important to realize that it is still prevalent and can manifest itself in hazing situations on sport teams or on the internet through a new phenomenon labeled “cyberbullying”.

Many parents and teachers have overlooked the pervasiveness of bullying in schools throughout the United States. Bullying is damaging physically, academically and emotionally to both the victim and the perpetrator and without proper action, it will continue to do so. Please click on the links below to find out more about bullying and what you can do to help.

• What causes bullying?
• What effect does bullying have on children?
• Advice for parents
• How to build classrooms that discourage bullying
• Anti-bullying legislation
• Bullying links and resources

The above information was compiled from Peer Abuse Learning Services and “Bullying and Harassment in Schools and the Rights of Children” a journal article in Children and Society, volume 14, 2000.