Don’t be a Bully, Don’t be a Victim
14th to 18th November 2016 is UK national anti-bullying week. Don’t be a bully, don’t be a victim either. Bullies come in all ages and walks of life. Selfishness and esteem problems often lead to bullying.
Bullying is a controlling behaviour. It is a vehicle for the infringement of the rights of others. For this reason, schools and workplaces have anti-bullying policies. Organisations are often a good reflection of who is in charge.
Structure is always as effective as those that police them. Anti-bullying policies must have the support of all. Those in charge must see to their policing. A frank disclosure culture has to be in place to combat bullying.
Bullying by words
At school, I often heard “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can’t hurt me”. It’s not true! Words wound in ways that stay longer than any physical scars. Bullying with words is an effective tactic of the bully.
Bullying and suicide
Bullying can lead to fatal circumstances. Reports of people committing suicide following bullying are plenty. Cyber bullying is a strong case in point of bullying leading to suicide. Cyber bullying extends the reach of the bully.
Bullying and mental illness
Some people are bullied as a consequence of mental illness. On the other hand, bullying can lead to mental and emotional health issues. In an increasing number of workplaces, mental health awareness is now a key issue.
Bullying in schools/classrooms
Bullying was frequent when I attended boarding school. Victims very often moved to being bullies. Bullying is rampant where people are not held to account.
I had an experience recently when pre-teenagers were very disruptive in a class I was handling. One of them was known to regularly get in trouble with adults. Virtually every other child seating close by had a comment to pass. Eventually they goaded him into action that resulted in the whole class being disrupted. The children however, would not see what they did as bullying but from the other child’s viewpoint, he was definitely being picked on!
Cliques could lead to passive bullying. When someone outside the clique initiates an activity, they often run foul of the clique. Cliques only support activities they are running. Cliques should be discouraged in school environments. Cliques can even lead to gangs!
Bullying and manipulation
Manipulators have a streak of bullying in them. They always want to have their own way. They don’t do win-win solutions. Watch out for these in the workplace, and with those in authority!
Don’t be a bully, don’t be a victim this week. Contribute to an anxiety free environment wherever you are.
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