Types of Bullying ~ Positive Behaviour / Anti-Bullying Resources at S.H.N.S., Newbawn, Co. Wexford

There are many different types of bullying including...

Verbal Bullying

...can leave children feeling angry, frightened and powerless, if children are unable to share their feelings with someone else it can leave them emotionally bruised and exhausted.

Verbal attacks can be of a highly personal nature. They can be directed at the child's family, culture, race, orientation or religion. Malicious rumours are particularly insidious (sneaky) forms of verbal bullying.

Physical Bullying

...is often written off as "horseplay", "pretend" or "just a game" when challenged. While children can and do play roughly, in the case of bullying be aware that these 'games' can be a precursor to vicious physical assaults.

Both boys and girls indulge in physical bullying, boys perhaps more so as they have a greater tendency towards physical aggression.

	Gesture Bullying ...there are many different forms of non-verbal threatening gestures which can convey intimidatory and frightening messages, i.e. the inference or look which accompanies bullying behaviour. Gesture bullying can often be of a violent or suggestive nature and can be very difficult to witness given the speed in which such gestures can be done.

Extortion Bullying

...young children are particularly vulnerable to extortion bullying. Demands for money, possessions or equipment, lunch vouchers or food may be made, often accompanied by threats. Children may also be dared or forced to steal from the school leaving them (at the mercy of the bully) open to further intimidation.

Exclusion Bullying

...is particularly hurtful because it isolates the child from his/her peer group and is very hard for the child to combat as it directly attacks their self- confidence and / or self-image.

E-bullying / Cyber Bullying

...in an ever more technologically advanced world, a new strain of bullying has emerged amongst children, which utilises web pages, emails and text messaging to abuse, intimidate and attack others, either directly or indirectly i.e. rumour mongering.

E-bullying can be particularly frightening as it often perpetuates school based bullying by continuing the attacks when the victim is outside the confines of the school.

It can also involve more than the original bully / bullies forwarding mails or texts that can deepen feelings of hurt, isolation, rejection or separation from ones peers. Click on the button below for a brief video highlighting the possible hurt caused by e-bullying.

While the purpose of this site is not to tell any family what their child(ren) should or should not do the link below gives a little bit of guidance on the possible dangers of internet usage and may merit a look.