The definition of bullying is not always clear and as black and white as some people may think there are many grey areas so much so that some people who are victims of bullying might not always be aware that bullying is taking place. The Anti-Bullying Alliance which is an established organisation that was put together to tackle the issue of bullying and try to reduce the amount of bullying that takes place sees bullying as people who go out their way to be nasty or unkind to a person or people, not by accident and continue to do so even though the person on the receiving end finds it threatening and unpleasant but cannot put a stop to it.
The Anti-Bullying Alliance
The Anti-Bulling Alliance see their vision as all working together in unison to bring about a safe environment in which children of all ages can grow together peacefully learning and playing as they go along. There values are clear as they believe that any kind of bullying is wrong and that no environment should promote any sort of behaviour, especially behaviour that results in prejudices and discrimination against others. They see bullying as a choice and that a person is responsible for their own behaviour and choices they make in life. There are clear diversities in society today but these differences should be welcomed and seen as developments that all can learn from and such uniqueness and autonomy should be celebrated. Each and every child has the right to feel safe and protected and if such values are broken actions must be taken to reduce the fear and ridicule brought on by others.
The Department for Children, Schools and families (DCSF) Safe to Learn
This department formed in 2007 which was a department of the UK government which dealt with safety issues regarding young people under the age of 19 regarding various issues including child protect and education but was replaced by the Department for Education during 2010 after the General Election put together and devised a plan to tackle the issue of bullying known as Safe to Learn. This actual guidance plan was replaced in 2011 by the Department of Education but is still used as practitioners and the teaching environment still find such guidance useful. This department saw bullying as unacceptable behaviour created by one or more persons that was often repeated over time which was intent on hurting another person or persons either mentally emotionally and /or physically.
Types of Bullying
Bullying can take on various forms and in some cases it is not always easy to spot even though the victim may be hurt as a result. It can consist of people being called names and insulted through insults and teasing whereas physical bullying which consists of perpetrator attacks the victim through pushing, shoving, kicking, punching and various other acts of physical violence which can cause the victim to suffer greatly. In less obvious instances bullying can take place when stories that are deemed nasty are spread or being excluded from activities where other friends take part. Cyber bullying seems to be the latest trend for wanting of a better word for those people who wish to bully others and this can take place using mobile phones used for sending nasty and unkind messages or phone calls or the use of the internet where messages along with videos and pictures can be used to make other uncomfortable.