Bullying can be in many different forms differentiated between both physical and psychological forms. A physical form may include hitting, beating; a psychological form can include, verbal abuse, threatening gestures, stalking behaviour, out-casting and spreading malicious rumours (Rigby, 2007). According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare bullying often occurs because of dissimilarities between those involved, for example there may be a personality clash between the parties or differences such as one’s age, culture, religion, sexual orientation and physical appearance may be an issue between the victims and the bullies.
Therefore students reporting bullying typically showed high levels of absenteeism, less intention to complete school, social estrangement, negative self-image, and lacked self-esteem. They also had higher levels of anxiety, depression, risk of suicide and were more likely to be engaged in high-risk behaviours such as, drug use and under-age drinking (Delfabbro, Winefield, Trainor & Dollard, 2006).
Moreover the broad social issue of Bullying causes huge strain within the education sector of Australia due to the affect that it has on students, educators and all those involved. Much research is conducted to try to illuminate bullying within schools. Rigby
References: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2011). School Relationships and bullying. Retrieved from http://www.aihw.gov.au Delfabbro, P., Winefield, T., Trainor, S., Dollard, M., & al, e. (2006). Peer and teacher bullying/victimization of South Australian secondary school students: Prevalence and psychosocial profiles. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 76, 71-90. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.elibrary.acap.edu.au/docview/216957011 Rigby, K. (2007). Bullying in schools and what to do about it. Victoria, Australia: ACER Press. Retrieved from http://reader.eblib.com.au.elibrary.acap.edu.au/(S(1nr2buj4da142ksxzt0uwhez))/Reader.aspx?p=322317&o=240&u=IrjjvlNFFfk%3d&t=1343381539&h=13B9101AEE1A99E98CE1BB795BBD0888CC3C8E4F&s=6316545&ut=787&pg=1&r=img&c=-1&pat=n#