Bullying

1. PERPETRATORS = TORTURERS. Perpetrators usually involve a Leader and a group-herd of followers-accomplices, who follow-participate in the bullying either on their own volition or because of fear.

THE AIM OF THE PERPETRATOR

• To Cause Pain to the Victim – Either Physical or Mental

• By belittling the victim, they Acquire Supremacy, Dominance over the Victim 

• To ‘Prove themselves’ – To Dominate their Environment through Violence  

The Offender’s – PERPETRATOR’S Profile-Image: It is very likely that the person has witnessed family violence, has been subjected to abuse, either sexual or physical, is bad at school, is the bully of the class, probably suffers from ADHD, has learning difficulties, shows contrary defying behaviour and disorderly conduct. Symptoms presented by perpetrators are, to a great extent, symptoms of ADHD, such as egocentricity, hyperactivity , concentration problems, particularly impulsiveness and uncontrollable anger-rage.

PERPETRATORS are not only those practising violence – bullying, but also those who Silently Look on and Tolerate it, without interfering in defence of the victim. 

2. VICTIMS = TORTURED 

The Victim’s profile-image: The victim is very likely to have learning difficulties or ADHD and low Self-confidence. The victim’s parents are often overprotective and have not helped the child to develop appropriate social skills to be able to defend him/herself; s/he is not a particularly sociable person and has few friends. 

3. SILENT ONLOOKERS = ACCOMPLICES

Bullying Is Not Limited to School, but Exists Everywhere, e.g., at Work, at the University, in the Army.  

Bullying has very serious life

• BOYS are more likely to be PERPETRATORS than girls
• Children with ADHD are more likely to be PERPETRATORS (3-fold) or VICTIMS (10-fold), as compared to their Peers.   
• Children with Dyslexia – Learning Difficulties are mainly Victims.
• In other words, both groups are involved more frequently than others in BULLYING incidents, because they are usually more isolated than the rest of their classmates, and lagging behind, therefore, more vulnerable.

In other words, children with Learning Difficulties, Attention Deficit, Exceptionally Impulsive, Hyperactive (ADHD) are high risk groups for bullying; this is why we, parents and teachers, have to look after them-protect them.   

HOW CAN BULLYING BE DISTINGUISHED FROM A FRIENDLY TEASING OR COMMON VIOLENCE?

When a friendly teasing BECOMES HARASSING, the Victim asks for it to stop, but the perpetrator keeps harassing-torturing, then this becomes BULLYING.  

• Physically: They come home with inexplicable injuries, scratches, grazing, bruises
• Emotionally: Being shy, withdrawing, headaches, anxiety, aggressiveness, depression
• Conduct: Behaves strangely – differently; changes in Dietary or Sleeping habits
• Academically: Reduced school performance; seeks excuses to avoid going to school

• They feel ashamed, ridiculed and they are afraid they will be called ‘babies’ or ‘snitches’.
• If parents react aggressively, the children think that the parents may act inappropriately and make them the laughing stock.    

• High correlation between bullying and suicide (probable intervention/contribution  of other Causes, such as depression)
• Perpetrators, Victims and Onlookers involved in Bullying present higher percentages of Suicidal Behaviour
• Bullying Victims: 2.4 times higher probability for suicidal ideation (thinking about killing themselves) 
• Bullying Victims: 3.3 times higher probability for Attempting Suicide
• Perpetrators – Victims: the highest risk group for Negative Consequences  

Marginalizing unacceptable behavior, FRIENDS = Shield of Protection, fostering friendship, socialization, and boosting SELF-CONFIDENCE.

Support from family and peers significantly reduces bullying.

Empathy = Putting oneself in the shoes of others and understanding how they feel.

Bullying is subject to both disciplinary and criminal penalties for those who tolerate it with silent complicity, which encourages it.

Article 312: Causing harm with continuous harsh behavior

1. If no more serious criminal act is involved, a person who causes bodily harm or other harm to the physical or mental health of another through continuous harsh behavior will be punished by imprisonment.
2. If the act occurs between minors, it is not punishable unless the age difference between them is more than three (3) years, in which case only reformative or therapeutic measures are applied.
3. If the victim has not reached the age of 18 or cannot defend themselves, and the perpetrator is responsible for their care or protection, or if the victim is in the perpetrator’s home, or the perpetrator has a work or service relationship with the victim, or has been entrusted with the victim’s care, education, or supervision even temporarily, and no more serious criminal offense is involved, imprisonment of at least six (6) months will be imposed.
   The same penalty applies to anyone who, by systematically neglecting their obligations towards these individuals, causes them bodily injury or harm to their physical or mental health.