Bullying

Home: K to 12: Respect Protect Connect Program: Information for educators

This is an extract from the Respect Protect Connect workshop manual, by Timothy O'Leary and Russell Pratt.

"'How was school today?' We would ask our five-year-old son who was so happy to be starting his prep year at school. His reply, 'Good, no-one hurt me today'. This is heartbreaking stuff." (Krashow; cited in Jones & Gibson, 21.1.00)

"I am absolutely convinced bullying is the number one mental health issue in our schools. The apathy around the issue I find nothing short of astonishing"
(Carr-Gregg; cited in Jones & Gibson, 21.1.00)

Bullying occurs on a regular (at least weekly) basis for a fifth of young people aged between 8 and 17 years. Boys tend to be bullied by individuals while girls are more often bullied by groups (Rigby, 1996). Research has also shown a link between adult criminality and bullying behaviour in childhood, with 35-40% of bullies having 3 criminal convictions by the age of twenty-four (Olweus 1991).

Bullying can be a traumatic and humiliating experience with lasting and debilitating effects on a person's self worth, confidence and school performance. Although no-one ever should have to put up with bullying, it is so common that many adults and young people believe bullying is either a necessary part of 'toughening up' children, or is harmless.

Male bullies require active and supportive intervention that sets limits on, and consequences for, their behaviour, whilst addressing issues of masculinity, coping and controlling.

Respect:

It is important to empower the victims of bullying, to provide ongoing support, and to help them work through the effects of the bullying if needed.

Protect:

Bullying generally occurs away from adult supervision, and whilst it is usually impossible to monitor an entire school, it is possible to create safety zones within schools that are frequented by teachers and peer support students.

Connect:

Check out the no to bullying website at: http://www.bullyingnoway.com.au/

Further examples of bullying in society:

Workplace: A North Melbourne company and its two directors were fined $38,000 for the workplace torture and bullying of a 15 year old apprentice panel beater. The young man was subjected to verbal and physical abuse: for example, he was punched in the ribs, had masking tape stuck to his eyelids, and endured other forms of abuse. Two other 'workmates' were jailed over the incidents (Butcher, 2000). For help concerning bullying in the workplace- ACTU Helpline or the Australian Human Rights Commission.

Surf-Rage: The former Australian world surfing champion, Nat Young, made the news in March after a dispute over a wave resulted in 6 hours surgery. Young suffered two broken eye sockets, broken cheekbones and smashed sinuses. Young admitted that he threw the first punch. In response to the violence, the five-time world champion brought out Surf Rage, a book for surfers, by surfers, about the futility of violence.

Road Rage: Many of us are frustrated on the roads but no one is a perfect driver. What we do with that frustration and anger is the difference between stress-management and road rage.

Corporate Bullying: In May 2000 several Australian companies trading under the name Virgin were bullied into forgoing their business names under threat of legal action by lawyers representing Richard Branson's Virgin Airlines Group. Mr Steve Wiessner of Virgin Wheel Repairs was even ordered by Branson's lawyers to pay the $350.00 cost of drafting the bullying letter to him!

Jury Room Bullying: In 2000, a law lecturer called for jury reform to prevent psychological bullying by jurors with strong personalities (Farrant, D, The Age, 3/4/00 'Call for reforms to stop jury bullying').

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