To most of us, bullying means some sort of physical harassment or called out by names. Experts argue that bullying can be segmented into some primary categories. Knowing them is essential to face them and help the ones bullied.
If you feel you are bullied, or someone you know is bullied and want to offer some help, this article is for you. I’ll discuss four major types of bullying and how to overcome those.
Cyberbullying – –
This form of bullying is the most prevalent these days. With the blessings of modern technology, online appearance has become the new normal. This opened the doors to the most dangerous type of bullying.
Cyberbullying can be verbal, social, and emotional and often goes unnoticed to the people surrounding the ones bullied. The anonymity of online bullying also makes this even more dangerous and challenging to avoid. Like no other types, you can be exposed to this bullying risk 24/7, and even bullying can be your unwanted houseguest!
Establishing internet safety is the first step to avoid this type of bullying. Be mindful of what you are sharing over the internet, with whom you are sharing, and which app you are using. If the situation seems out of control, don’t hesitate to ask for law enforcement authorities’ help.
Relational Bullying – –
Also known as emotional bullying, relational bullying happens when someone is ostracized intentionally. It’s a sneaky bullying type and done by social manipulation, like spreading rumors, manipulating situations, or breaking down someone’s confidence.
People experience relational bullying for various reasons, like gender, race, age, economic status, or success. Relational bullying is the most prevalent workplace bullying type. Your co-workers or even your boss can be jealous of your success and can try to ostracize you from others.
The best way to face this sort of bullying is finding like-minded people or evaluating your own behavior, increasing emotional intelligence, accepting diversity, and enhancing self-esteem.
Sexual Bullying – –
One of the most embarrassing types of bullying, sexual bullying, happens when people are gossiped about, intimidated, ignored, or teased based on their sex or appearances. It often goes unnoticed as no visible mark is left.
According to Stop Street Harassment, 81% of females and 43% of males experience sexual bullying in various stages of life! A bully usually engages in such bullying to feel more powerful, show maturity, reduce insecurity, or eliminate competition.
Some steps to avoid sexual bullying are defining the problem, building self-esteem, accepting diversity, and improving social skills.
Physical Bullying – –
Physical bullying is the most common, especially among the youth and school aged. Physical bullying may include kicking, blocking, hitting, pushing, tripping, and uninvited touching.
Physical bullies tend to be stronger, bigger, and aggressive than others and often involve bullying to show power and control over the target.
Some best ways to avoid such bullying are avoiding the situations, discussing the issue with the seniors or authority, asking for help, and building self-esteem.
So, here are the four most common types of bullying you or your loved ones may face. Hope this categorization and suggestions will help you to stop being bullied.
Legal rights
Currently, there aren’t any laws against workplace bullying in the US. The Healthy Workplace Bill, introduced in 2001, aims to prevent and reduce workplace bullying and the negative effects by protecting people who are experiencing bullying. It can also help employers create anti-bullying policies and procedures.
Learn more about the Healthy Workplace Bill: https://workplacebullying.org/
How to Help?
If you witness bullying of any type, speak up and help. People often say nothing out of fear of being targeted, but ignoring bullying contributes to a toxic work environment.
- Offer support: Acting as a witness to the person being targeted. You can also help by going to your HR department with your co-worker.
- Listen: Your co-worker may not feel comfortable talking to others about their situation. So be a good listener.
- Report the incident: Help your management team realize there is a problem.
- Stay close to your co-worker: Having support nearby could help reduce instances of bullying.
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