What Is Bullying?

Bullying includes harassment, intimidation to varying degrees, taunting and ridicule. Sometimes, bullies are motivated by hate and bias, sometimes by cultural norms, peer pressure or the desire to retaliate. Bullying may occur within the context of initiation rituals and be labeled "hazing," or it can be overtly or implicitly about gender, constituting sexual harassment. Sometimes, there is no readily identifiable reason for bullying; when kids are asked who school bullies target, their answers can be disturbing precisely because they are not extraordinary: bullies pick on kids who are "weaker," "smaller," "funny looking," or "dumb."

What to look for if you think someone is being bullied?

• The first is a pattern of behavior over time--repeated exposure to intentional injury or discomfort inflicted by one or more students against another. This behavior may include physical contact, verbal assault, social ostracism, obscene gestures or other aggressive acts that cause the victim to feel fearful or distraught.
  
• More serious instances of bullying can result in physical injury or emotional trauma. A second common element is a perceived imbalance of power which allows one person or group of people to victimize another.

How Do I Report a Bully?

• Talk to a counslor or administrator
• Talk to your teacher
• Complete the attached Contact Form.  This will allow you to make an annonyomous report.