Blog Post #3: Research Round 1

Hello everyone, and welcome back to my blog post! Today, I have decided to focus on the more societally-relevant parts of my story rather than what makes my story unique, as this sets the foundation for what I will write in the future.

 Bullying, defined as the abuse and mistreatment of a vulnerable person [1], can happen between anyone in any environment, though I mostly focus on in middle and high school. Bullying can manifest in various forms, though the main six are physical bullying, verbal bullying, relational bullying, cyberbullying, sexual bullying, and prejudicial bullying. Physical bullying is when someone is hit by another person or object and is usually what people think of when they hear the word bullying. Theft is also included in this category [2]. Verbal bullying is using spoken or written words to insult or intimidate someone [2]. Relational bullying is deliberately spreading rumors or otherwise falsely harming someone’s reputation [2]. Cyberbullying, which is becoming more common as technology is playing a larger role in our lives, is the sharing of harmful content through online means [2]. Sexual bullying is making sex jokes and rude gestures about someone. Prejudicial bullying is bullying that stems from prejudices like race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or religion [2]. This creates an environment which is extremely detrimental to a student’s mental health and learning.  

Unfortunately, most victims of bullying do not report being bullied. Victims may believe they must endure being bullied to fit in with their peers, causing a scene, or being labeled a “snitch” [3]. Others may feel that reiterating the reason they are being bullied for, such as a physical attribute or mannerism, brings more shame than the bullying itself. And even if the victim reports the bullying and authority figures are made aware, the bullying still happens behind their backs and most offenders get away with their actions [3].  

 

Bullying has severe and lasting consequences for its victims, including disrupted learning, physical injuries, anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, and in extreme cases, self-harm and suicide[4].  

All students deserve a safe and orderly place in which to learn and grow [5]. Thus, school policies are essential in stopping bullying. It is best for victims to consult with the school first as a school’s code of conduct may provide a section on how to deal with bullying. Depending on the severity of the bullying, consequences range from an apology to restorative programs and, in the worst case, suspension/removal from school [5].

 

Bill 14 of the Ontario legislation defines bullying and provides guidelines for remedial programs, the school’s role in handling it, and prevention plans [6]. There is no law in British Columbia that targets bullying specifically [7]. Depending on the type of bullying, bullies may be charged with verbal harassment, theft, and/or assault. The harshest sentence for bullies, which occurs if the victim commits suicide, is involuntary manslaughter [8]. Victims can seek restraining orders, protection orders, and can even pursue civil lawsuits against bullies [7]. Bystanders/witnesses who do not report bullying may also face charges [7].  

 

Bullying is a serious issue in our lives that is deeply entangled with the law, though we may not realize it. Beyond the legal sphere, however, it is crucial for our community to actively advocate against bullying because tolerating or ignoring bullying sets the precedent that bullying is acceptable behavior, when it is not.

Sources:  

1. Definition of bullying. (2024, January 4). Retrieved December 23, 2023, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bullying 

2. What are the different types of bullying? (n.d.). Verywell Mind. Retrieved December 25, 2023, from https://www.verywellmind.com/what-are-the-different-types-of-bullying-5207717 

3. 11 reasons why victims of bullying don’t tell anyone. (n.d.). Verywell Family. Retrieved January 11, 2024, from https://www.verywellfamily.com/reasons-why-victims-of-bullying-do-not-tell-460784 

4. Government of Canada, R. C. M. P. (2021, February 1). Retrieved December 28, 2023, Impacts and consequences of bullying and cyberbullying | royal canadian mounted police. https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/bullying/impacts-and-consequences-bullying-and-cyberbullying 

5. École Charles Best Secondary. (2022). Charles Best Code of Conduct. Retrieved from https://www.sd43.bc.ca/school/charlesbest/About/COC/Documents/Code%20of%20Conduct%202021-2022.pdf 

6. “Anti-Bullying Act, 2012.” Legislative Assembly of Ontario, https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-40/session-1/bill-14. Accessed 11 Jan. 2024. 

7. Bullyingcanada news. (n.d.). Retrieved January 10, 2024, from https://www.bullyingcanada.ca/blog/the-legal-consequences-of-bullying-what-you-need-to-know#:~:text=Those%20who%20engage%20in%20bullying%20behaviour%20may%20face,fail%20to%20report%20it%20can%20also%20face%20charges. 

8. Guilty of manslaughter: Suicide by bullying. (2017, June 20). HuffPost. Retrieved January 9, 2023, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/guilty-of-manslaughter-suicide-by-bullying_b_5948a142e4b0961faacbe661