We Are LEADERS IN BULLYING Prevention

Verbal bullying has a negative impact on the psychology of the child being bullied. In fact, this form of bullying has the worst consequences. Victims can be affected to the point that they can’t forget this traumatic experience throughout their life.

In the most common cases bullies use statements, words and name-calling in order to gain control and power over their victim to demean, belittle and hurt them. This leads them to choose their victims based on how they act or look. At times, they focus on children with special needs.

Although the bumps and bruises heal with time, the child’s fragile mind is so sensitive that they are unable to recover and become stronger without special assistance.

Verbal abuse can grow into physical abuse if the victim doesn’t take the steps to prevent it at the initial stages. The victim should let an adult or person in authority know about the incidents as, inaction will lead the bully to continue with the belief that there will be no consequences.

Physical bullying can be experienced in many forms, such as:

• Hitting with or without weapons
• Spitting
• Slapping
• Tripping and kicking
• Pushing
• Destroying or stealing possessions

It’s important to keep in mind that bullies target children and adults that they think are weaker than them, that won’t fight back, or if they do will enjoy the victims reaction.

Racism and prejudices have always existed in our communities. Bullies that target other kids because of their religion, nationality, colour or race may live in an environment where they have learned this type of negative behaviours from others.

Racist bullying may include:

• Verbal, racist names, sending threats or insulting messages
• Damaging the target’s belongings
• Making personal attacks, assault or violence
• Excluding someone or treating them differently
• Making remarks about someone based on their race, culture or colour
• Telling racist jokes about the victim’s culture, race, nationality or colour

Racism has a negative impact on everyone and this form of bullying can make the target child feel as if they are not important and won’t fit in. Feelings of upset, confusion, anger or depression can make a person feel alone.

Girls may be harassed by other girls or boys in schools, the consequences of which can be devastating to a female. The reasons behind girls bullying are in a lot of cases referred to above and below, but can also be jealousy, peer pressure and status within groups. However, girls tend to be more prone to sexual bullying.

Common Forms of sexual bullying:

• Sexualized insults and name-calling
• Unwelcome looks and comments
• Inappropriate touching without consent
• Emotional blackmailing
• Displaying sexual content like sexual graffiti
  

In our modern society, bullies are using technology to target their victims even when they are not physically around them. These bullies remain behind the keyboard while perpetrating their cruel acts.

Common types of cyber bullying includes:

• SMS
• IM via instant messaging apps
• Email
• Social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, SnapChat and Instagram

Since bullies don’t have to show their face, cyber bullying is becoming more common.

Typically, this form of bullying is related to people in groups also known as pack mentality. A bully may exclude a certain member from the group and even spread lies or gossip about them. The idea is to make the victim isolated which has a severe mental and emotional effect on the victim.

Social bullying is quite common in schools, colleges, universities and workplaces. It doesn’t necessarily involve verbal or physical abuse so can be missed as it is indirect and hard to prove.

With a modern world there comes new genders and sexual orientations, our society welcomes and embraces everyone regardless of these choices. Homophobia is when a bully doesn’t like their target because of their sexual preferences towards the same sex.

Homophobic bullying may include:

• Making negative comments online
• Ignoring or excluding the target
• Making sexual comments
• Hurting, punching, or hitting the victim
• Teasing or calling names