What is Bullying?

Around the world about one in five children are bullied every week at school, many more are bullied and many adults are bullied at work.

Bullying in all its forms is basically an abuse of power, by someone who is stronger - physically, mentally, socially, politically or financially - towards someone who can’t block the bully's games or cruel behaviours.

Almost  anyone can be a target, bully or both. Some can be targets and bullies simultaneously, eg the school target who bullies at home, the bully boss who is targeted by his bully manager.

Bullying can be physical, psychological, emotional, social or professional. It can be aggressive, like pointing, screaming, swearing and punching; hidden, such as exclusion, not forwarding emails, and very subtle, like whispers, stares, malicious gossip. It includes all forms of discrimination and harassment, (eg gender, sex, racial, handicapped) mobbing, (group bullying) and some forms of violence (criminal assault).

It may occur once and leave a  constant impact , but generally it occurs regularly or sporadically, over months or years.

A target can be bullied consistently by one person, a group or confront many different bullies over time.

Bullying can cause damage to everyone concerned, the target, bully, onlookers, families, school , workplace, employers and the community.

Action to reduce bullying can take place at many levels

• The ethical and legal responsibility for reducing bullying belongs to the community, school or employer.
  
• However the target, their family, onlookers or peers need to develop assertive skills to confront the bully and alert the authorities about abusive behaviours.
  
• The bully needs to replace his/her aggressive or passive-aggressive behaviours with assertive behaviours, which reduce their bullying.
  
• Both target and bully may need to improve their social skills in order that their peer group supports and befriends them.

What is Social Resilience?

Resilience is the social and emotional ability to deal with the ups and downs of life. Most people confront stress, frustration, disappointment and loss at some stage in their life. Children or adults with significant supportive relationships can survive most difficulties, including horrific trauma.

Resilience is dependent upon using effective social survival skills to build these supportive relationships. This means that each person needs to know how to relate and connect to other members of their social tribes, eg family, school and work. These skills are mandatory in making true friends, dealing with
the challenges of maintaining relationships, especially with
family members and dealing with difficult members of our
various tribes.