WHAT IS BULLYING? Bullying is characterized by acts of intentional harm, repeated over time, in a relationship where an imbalance of power exists. It includes physical actions (punching, kicking, biting), verbal actions (threats, name calling, insults, racial or sexual comments), and social exclusion (spreading rumours, ignoring, gossiping, excluding). Boys tend to be more likely to bully and be bullied, usually in the form of a physical attack and exhibition of aggressive behaviour. Alternatively, girls appear to be more prone to indirect bullying in the form of social isolation, slandering and the spreading of rumours. WHAT ARE THE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN BULLYING, DELINQUENCY AND CRIME? Delinquent behaviour is far more common in children who bully other children. Self-report delinquency studies reveal that almost 40% of boys who frequently bully report delinquent behaviour compared to about 5% of boys who never or infrequently bully. For girls who bully frequently, close to 31% report delinquency compared to 3% of girls who never or infrequently bully. Research also reveals that children who bully are 37% more likely than those who do not bully to commit offences as adults. Similarly, children who bully may later suffer psychological problems, such as externalizing behaviours, aggressive tendencies, and occasional symptoms of depression. The implications of bullying can also be very serious for many victims. For example, male victims of bullying are five times more likely to be depressed and girls are over three times more likely to be depressed than their male and female classmates. Male and female victims of bullying are more likely to exhibit symptoms of suicide. Moreover, research suggests that the effects of bullying do not disappear with time. For example, the Journal of the American Medical Association reports that “individuals formerly bullied were found to have higher levels of depression and poorer self-esteem at the age of 23, despite the fact that, as adults, they were no more harassed or socially isolated than comparison adults”. Bullying behaviour during childhood is closely associated with future anti-social behaviour in adolescence and adulthood. Children who bully may turn into adolescents who sexually harass, become involved in delinquent or gang-related behaviours, or engage in date violence. As adults, these same individuals may display harassment in the workplace or may commit spousal, child, or senior abuse. The prevention of bullying behaviour in children and youth is an important factor for reducing the likelihood of future criminal activity. WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH BULLYING? Significant individual risk factors for bullying behaviour include persistent negative attitudes and early aggressive behaviour. Some risk factors for bullying are also risk factors for general delinquency, such as truancy, aggressive behaviour and a lack of respect for authority figures. Some risk factors are more frequent in children who bully, and they include CVMMZJOH!PREVENTION NATURE AND EXTENT OF BULLYING IN CANADA CRIMESTOPPERS.NS.CA 13
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