UNDERSTANDING BULLYING: FACTS, MYTHS AND OUR SHARED RESPONSIBILITY

National Week of Action Against Bullying 17 August - 21 August

With the National Week of Action Against Bullying highlighting the theme 'Small Acts, Big Impact', this is an excellent opportunity to strengthen our understanding of bullying and our collective role in creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive school environment.

Creating a safe and supportive learning environment begins with understanding what bullying is and challenging common misconceptions that can prevent effective action. Bullying is an ongoing and intentional misuse of power in relationships that causes physical, social, or psychological harm.

The three key elements of bullying are power imbalance, repetition, and intentional harm. A power imbalance may relate to social status, physical strength, age, experience, or group size. Bullying is repeated over time, or likely to be repeated, and the behaviour is deliberate and intended to cause distress, exclusion, humiliation, fear, or discomfort.

It is also important to understand what bullying is not. Bullying is not a one-off disagreement, a conflict between people of equal power, an accidental action, or harmless teasing. While these situations may still require support and intervention, they do not meet the definition of bullying unless there is a continuing pattern of harmful behaviour combined with a power imbalance.

Several myths continue to surround bullying. Bullying is not a normal part of growing up and should never be ignored. It is never the fault of the person being targeted, and its impact extends beyond the individual involved to friends, families, bystanders, and the wider community.

The effects of bullying can be significant and long-lasting. They may include anxiety, stress, reduced confidence and self-esteem, social isolation, lower engagement in learning, and ongoing mental health concerns. Online bullying can be particularly harmful because content may remain available and continue to be shared over time.

Preventing and responding to bullying is a shared responsibility. Staff can make a positive difference by recognising the signs, taking concerns seriously, responding promptly and consistently, supporting affected students, and promoting respectful relationships and inclusion.

As we recognise this important national week, let us remember that small acts of kindness, inclusion, and respect can have a big impact. Together, we can create a school community where everyone feels safe, valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.

Adapted from resources developed by Bullying No Way, Australia's national bullying prevention initiative.