Relational Aggression is a form of bullying that is unwanted socially aggressive or manipulative behavior meant to harm or threaten the reputation or relationships of a targeted student. Some examples are rumor spreading, repeated unwanted teasing, posting embarrassing images, threatening to end friendships, embarrassing a student in public, or excluding a student from a social group. Relational Aggression may be subtle.

Bullying is deliberate or intentional behavior using words or actions, intended to cause fear, intimidation or harm. Bullying may be repeated behavior and involves an imbalance of power. Bullying can be physical, verbal, written, and indirect behavior that may create a threatening or fearful environment for any individual and/or substantially interfere with any student’s school performance and/or ability to access and benefit from the educational setting. Bullying behavior need not be based on any legally protected characteristic.

Harassment occurs when the bullying behavior is based upon a student’s legally protected characteristic such as sex, race, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, or physical, mental, emotional, or learning disability, transgender status including gender expression, gender identity or gender nonconformity. Harassment also occurs when bullying behavior is motivated by a student’s perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. Sexual harassment is unwelcome sexual advances, request(s), threats or demands for sexual favors, and/or other visual, verbal, written or physical conduct of a sexual nature directed at any person.