What is Bullying?

Although there are many different versions of the definition of bullying almost all of the definitions have something in common. The Steps to Respect program provides the following definition:

Bullying is unfair and one-sided. It happens when someone is repeatedly hurting, frightening, threatening, or leaving someone out on purpose.

Bullying can include:

•  punching, shoving, hitting, and other acts of physical violence
•  spreading bad rumours   about people
•  keeping certain people “out” of a group
•  teasing people in a mean and hurtful way
• getting certain people to “gang up” on others

Types of Bullying

Olweus (1993) states that bullying can be expressed directly or indirectly. It is quite common for children to experience more than one form of bullying so it is essential that they are prepared to handle various situations. The Steps to Respect program teaches children to recognize direct (face to face) and indirect (behind someone’s back) bullying and teaches ways to cope with each type. Direct bullying is comprised of direct behaviours such as teasing, taunting, threatening, hitting and stealing. Indirect bullying causes students to be socially isolated through intentional exclusion. Researchers studying this form of bullying refer to it as “relational bullying” (Crick and Grotpeter, 1995). Whether bullying is direct or indirect, the key factor of bullying is that the physical or psychological intimidation occurs repeatedly over time to create and ongoing pattern of harassment and abuse (Olweus, 1993).