"Bullying" means (A) the repeated use by one or more students of a written, oral or electronic communication, such as cyberbullying, directed at or referring to another student attending school in the same school district, or (B) a physical act or gesture by one or more students repeatedly directed at another student attending school in the same school district, that: (i) Causes physical or emotional harm to such student or damage to such student's property, (ii) places such student in reasonable fear of harm to himself or herself, or of damage to his or her property, (iii) creates a hostile environment at school for such student, (iv) infringes on the rights of such student at school, or (v) substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school….”
A bully is someone who purposely hurts or overpowers others by using social, emotional, verbal or physical tactics.
A bully usually tries to make the victim afraid and helpless. This makes the bully feel tough, and powerful.
Bullying is always about power, whether it is social, emotional, verbal or physical, there is always an "imbalance of power" with a bully and the victim.
Bullying can include hitting, name-calling, threatening, intimidating, kicking, spreading rumors, teasing, pushing, tripping, excluding someone from a group or destroying someone's things.
The information provided above was retrieved from:
- The Tough Stuff - Secondary Series:Immediate guidance for troubled students; 12 How to Handle a Bully, by Diane Brokenshire.
- http://www.ebasedprevention.org/toolbox/bullying/definitions Retrieved on 4/27/11.