Bullying is defined as repeated and unwanted aggressive behaviour that involves an imbalance of power. The behaviour is intended to harm, humiliate, or intimidate the victim. Harassment, on the other hand, is a single incident or series of incidents of offensive or unwelcome behaviour. It’s not always directed at a specific person, and it doesn’t necessarily involve an imbalance of power.
What is bullying?
Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behaviour that is commonly seen among but not limited to school-aged children that involve a real or perceived power imbalance. The behaviour is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Both individuals who are bullied and those who bully others may have serious, lasting problems.
What is harassment?
Harassment is a form of discrimination. It involves unwelcome or offensive conduct that is directed at an individual or group of individuals because of their protected characteristics, such as race, sex, disability, or age.
Harassment can take many forms, including but not limited to:
-Verbal abuse or threats
-Physical assault
-Sexual harassment
-Cyberbullying
Harassment is illegal under both state and federal law. If you believe you have been the victim of harassment, you should contact your local police department or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
The difference between bullying and harassment
Bullying is when someone repeatedly and purposefully tries to harm you, either physically or emotionally. Harassment is when someone repeatedly tries to bother or annoy you, even if they’re not trying to hurt you.
Bullying usually involves an imbalance of power, where the bully has more power than the victim. This can be because of the bully’s physical size, age, or social status. The bully might also have access to information or resources that the victim doesn’t have.
Harassment doesn’t always involve an imbalance of power. It can be as simple as someone repeatedly making offensive comments about your religion or ethnicity.
Both bullying and harassment are serious problems that can have a negative impact on people’s lives. If you think you’re being bullied or harassed, it’s important to tell someone who can help, like a parent, teacher, or counsellor.
How to deal with bullying and harassment
If you or someone you know is being bullied or harassed, it’s important to know how to deal with the situation.
There are a few things you can do if you’re being bullied or harassed:
-Talk to someone you trust about what’s going on. This could be a parent, friend, teacher, school counsellor, or another adult. Talking to someone can help you figure out what to do next and may make you feel better.
-Keep a record of what’s happening. Write down dates, times, locations, and any witnesses who may have seen what happened. This information can be helpful if you decide to take further action.
-Ignore the bully or harasser if possible. In some cases, giving attention to the person may only make the situation worse.
-Stand up for yourself calmly and assertively. This may stop the bullying behaviour if the bully thinks you won’t tolerate it anymore. But be careful not to stoop to their level by engaging in name-calling or physical violence yourself.
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
