The Problem of Bullying in the UK

What Is Bullying

What some consider teasing, others can see as bullying. There is no legal definition for bullying but it is usually understood as repeated physically or/and emotionally hurtful behaviour. It can take many forms, including:

Who Is Vulnerable To Bullying

Any person can be bullied. Many are bullied for race, religion, sexual orientation and even the types of clothes they are wearing, while some are also bullied for no apparent reason.

Who Can Be a Bully

Any person who deliberately hurts another person either physically, verbally or via online/phone is a bully. Sometimes, however, they are not aware that their behaviour is perceived as bullying by the victim. Bullies can be other children of the same age or older who live nearby, go to the same class or extracurricular activities but bullies can also be adults and even family members. But when an adult is physically or verbally harassing a child, it is defined as child abuse.

Consequences of Bullying

All forms of bullying cause a serious emotional distress which often leads to anxiety, fear, low self-esteem, feelings of worthlessness and depression. Children who are bullied are often also afraid to go to school and make up health problems to stay at home. Many, however, develop actual health problems due to the stress such as frequent headaches and stomach aches, and decline in school performance. The research reveals that bullied children are also more likely to think about committing suicide. According to some experts, 44 percent of suicides by young people in the UK are linked to bullying.

How Common Is Bullying in the UK

Government reports and results of research on the issue of bullying in the UK reveal that: