07/10/2014
Bullying is a serious problem in homes, schools and communities. Often dismissed as an adolescent “rite of passage,” research clearly indicates bullying is learned behavior and detrimental to the academic, physical, social and emotional development of all involved the bullies, targets and the bystanders who witness it. Bullying is not only a problem of youth but is one that spans all ages. Despite volumes of research, countless “anti-bullying” programs and increased scrutiny by the media, bullying continues to pervade our culture and our schools. It is a complex social issue requiring determination, leadership and courage to address. Although it is a difficult challenge, it cannot be ignored. A wave of recent bullying incidents with tragic outcomes has shed a renewed light on this issue. The advent of technology allowing for impulsive, anonymous and rapid communication, has expanded the opportunities for bullying to a degree that necessitates more innovative and immediate responses than ever before in society.
Bullying is a form of aggressive behavior manifested by the use of force or coercion to affect others, particularly when the behavior is habitual and involves an imbalance of power. It can include verbal harassment, physical assault or coercion and may be directed repeatedly towards particular victims, perhaps on grounds of race, religion, gender, sexuality, or ability. Bullying can take place in or out of school and in person or through other means of communication. When it occurs online, in, for example, emails, text messages, or in posts on websites (Facebook or Twitter), it is referred to as cyberbullying. Bullying can be verbal or physical, and when physical, it can be directed against a person, a person's property, or be used to intimidate, rather than inflict damage to the person or his or her property. Verbal bullying can include name-calling, threatening, or teasing someone, or making obscene remarks or