When we think of bullying, images of playground confrontations spring to mind. Such as kids being pushed around at recess, having their hair pulled in the hallway, or teased on the school bus. It is often treated as just kids being kids, and with minor and short-term consequences.
However, this is not just an issue of childhood. Research shows that the effects of bullying can persist into adulthood, affecting both the victim and the bully for the rest of their lives.
The very act of bullying is a dangerous one for both parties. Bullying produces strong feelings of fear, shame, embarrassment and guilt in the victim. Bullies use threats to keep their victims quiet, in exactly the same way that abusers (including child sex abusers) silence their targets.
The short-term effects of bullying can be profound. Research has shown that children who are bullied at school are likely to exhibit the following symptoms:
Unhappy in school
More withdrawn
Less considerate