In recognition of the fact that this is National Anti-Bullying Week (15th-19th November) this Counsellor's Casebook post explores the subject of bullying, which is believed to affect around 75% of school-age children and young people, with girls experiencing higher levels than boys (Rivers et al, 2008).
What constitutes Bullying?
Bullying is defined by the Royal College of Psychiatrists (1996) as happening when a child, or group of children, singles out a child deliberately and in a hurtful manner and may:
- hit or punch them
- kick them or trip them up;
- take or spoil their things;
- call them names;
- tease them;
- give them nasty looks;
- threaten them;
- make racist remarks about them;
- spread nasty rumours or stories about them;
- not let them join in play or games;
- not talk to them.
The nature of bullying is usually determined by the gender of the perpetrator/s, with girls more likely to spread rumours, gossip, banish victims from their friendship groups and be verbally spiteful, and boys more likely to resort to violence and intimidation.
Over recent years cyber bullying - when a child, or teenager is 'tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted' (www.stopcyberbullying.org) by another child or teenager using text messaging, email, instant messaging or any other type of interactive or digital technology - has become increasingly widespread. Electronic bullying can be much more anonymous than more traditional forms of bullying, with perpetrators using temporary e-mail accounts, false names in chat rooms, and with-holding their numbers on mobile phones, and this perhaps encourages the use of these forms of bullying. With most children, even some primary age children, having access to the internet and often having their own mobile phones, they may still be targeted even in the ‘safety’ of their home and bedroom.
A survey of over 2000 secondary school pupils, conducted by Beatbullying (2009), highlighted the extent of cyberbullying in the UK. It showed that almost a third of 11-16 year olds had experienced it, with greater incidence in certain ‘high risk’ groups of children (Pupils with Special Educational Needs; those receiving free school meals, and pupils from white non-British ethnic backgrounds).
What Are the Signs that a Child is Being Bullied?
Any child who becomes withdrawn, depressed or reluctant to go to school, or whose performance within school deteriorates, could be experiencing bullying – though, of course, these can also be signs of other emotional upsets.
More specific signs can include:
