Bullies
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What is bullying
Bullying is a conscious and willful act of aggression and/or manipulation by one or more people against another person or people. It is sometimes premeditated, and sometimes opportunistic, sometimes directed mainly towards one victim, and sometimes occurring serially and randomly. Bullying is a cowardly act because it is done to cause hurt without fear of recrimination. The victimized person is unlikely to retaliate effectively, if at all, nor are they likely to tell anyone about it. Bullying relies on those who are marginally involved, often referred to as observers, onlookers, or watchers, doing nothing to stop the bullying or becoming actively involved in supporting it.
- Bullying contains the following elements:
- Harm is intended.
- There is an imbalance of power.
- Bullying is often organized and systematic.
- Bullying is repetitive, occurring over a period of time; or it is a random but serial activity carried out by someone who is feared for this behavior.
- Hurt experienced by a victim of bullying can be external (physical) and/or internal (psychological).