Bullying: it’s not just on the playground
Bullies are everywhere – in the workplace, on social media and even within a community.
The days of bullies being found in schools only are long gone. These individuals are everywhere and children are not the only ones being victimised.
Bullies make their victims’ lives a horrendous experience. They can operate in the workplace, on social media or even within your community. They usually intimidate, belittle, constantly criticise and try to embarrass their victims.
In an article published by SFGate, it is said that bullies have a need to control other people, because something in their own lives is not under control. Bullying among adults is less often physical than it is among children, but it is still aggressive. It is often verbal with the intent to cause emotional and psychological harm.
An adult bully often uses more than one method of intimidation, for example face to face as well as on social media platforms. This can range from simply criticising something their victims have done, to threatening them. It is important to use one’s discretion to determine the seriousness of the situation.
Here are a few tips to try and overcome being bullied:
• Try and understand the bullies’ motivation – are they insecure?
• Separate yourself from the bully – limit your contact with the person
• Stop playing the victim – do not make yourself a soft target by giving the bully a reaction
• Take a stand – question their behaviour (without provoking them)
• Speak to someone – try and get the opinion of an unbiased third party
• Avoid a physical altercation
• Avoid giving bullies a taste of their own medicine
Read more:
A lifeline for child protection
Parents had enough of school bullying
School given last warning over bully
How to deal with bullying in schools
Oscar Pistorius – unfairly badgered and bullied
