Bullying

Bullying is generally defined as an intentional act that causes harm to others, and may involve verbal harassment, verbal or nonverbal threats, physical assault, stalking, or other methods of coercion such as manipulation, blackmail, or extortion. It is aggressive behavior that intends to hurt, threaten or frighten another person.

The aggressor often has real or perceived power over the victim. Bullying occurs in a variety of contexts, such as schools, workplaces, political or military settings, and others. It is often associated most with school-age children, but can happen among people of any age.

When you, your child, or someone close to you is being bullied, there are many ways to help resolve the situation. Make sure you understand what bullying is and what it is not, the warning signs of bullying, and steps to take for preventing and responding to bullying, including how to talk to children about bullying, prevention in schools and communities, and how to support the children involved.

How can I tell what is bullying and what is normal interpersonal conflict?

In order to stop real bullying, it’s important to make sure other behaviors aren’t incorrectly labeled. According to the National Education Association, a bully: