Bullying in Schools
School bullying is a distinct form of aggressive behaviour, usually involving a power imbalance. It can be physically, verbally and, more recently, electronically threatening, and can cause emotional, physical and psychological harm. Bullying in schools historically has been seen as a fundamental part of childhood. (Campbell, 2005 p68) It was seen as a social, educational and racial issue that needed little research and attention, until in the 1970’s and 80’s researchers began pioneering studies into bullying in our schools. (Rigby, 2007, p1) Bullying is now seen as a serious problem that begins in the classroom and often continues into the workplace. (Campbell, 2005 p68) There is now widespread support that schools should be involved in action to counter bullying amongst students. (Rigby, 2003 p1) Bullying in schools has become a health, legal and political issue as well as social, educational and racial. The main factors that trigger bullying behaviour are ethnicity, physical differences, sexual orientation, resistance to conform and high achievement. Individuals bully to gain power and strength, gain popularity and reputation, hide feelings of fear and unhappiness or sometimes to gain happiness. (Boystown, 2009, p11-12) “Bullying is a destructive form of peer aggression.” (Lodge, 2008 p3) Statistically it is believed one in six children experience bullying at least once a week and the most commonly reported form of bullying is verbal harassment. (Rigby, 1997 p3) 8.3% of all counselling calls to Kids Helpline are about bullying, 77% of these are from children aged 10-14. (KHL, 2004) Children need to feel safe and supported in the school environment. Bullying removes this, victims often showing an increase in absenteeism, lower academic results, and lower social achievement. This in turn can increase anxiety, depression, school failure and alcohol and illegal substance use. (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2009) Kim; Leventhal; Koh; Hubbard
References: Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2010) The Health and Welfare of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. October 2010 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Boystown. (2009) Inquiry into Bullying of Children and Young people, Submission to the General Purpose Standing Commitee No 2 of the New South Wales Legislative Council p11-12 Campbell, Marilyn A Kids Helpline (2004) Factsheet Bullying http://www.kidshelp.com.au/upload/4038.pdf Kim, Young Shin, MD,MS,MPH,PhD; Leventhal, Bennet l Lodge, Jodie. (2008) Working with Families Concerned with School-based Bullying AFRC Briefing No 11, Australian Institute of Family studies. p1-4 Minister for Education, the Hon Peter Garrett MP Rigby, Ken. (1997) What children tell us about Bullying in Schools. Children Australia -----------------------