Bullying can affect anyone.
It can happen at school, in the workplace, at home or online.
The person who is bullied can often feel angry, hurt, humiliated or threatened.
The main types of bullying include:
- verbal (includes sexual harassment)
- physical (includes sexual abuse)
- social bullying
- psychological bullying
- cyberbullying (online bullying)
- bullying at work
Verbal bullying
Verbal bullying can be face-to-face, written or over the phone.
It includes:
- calling someone names
- put-downs (criticising someone)
- abuse
- threats
Physical bullying
Physical bullying can include:
- being punched, tripped or kicked
- having things stolen or damaged
Social bullying
Social bullying is often one of the hardest types of bullying to identify and deal with.
Social bullying includes being left out, ignored or having rumours spread about you.
Psychological bullying
Psychological bullying can be hard to identify. It is often less direct and can feel like it is in your head.
It can include:
- stalking
- dirty looks
- intimidation (scaring or threatening you)
- manipulation (controlling or tricking you to get what they want)
- constant criticism
- checking your work
- excluding you from social activities available to all
- unpredictable reactions - these keep you anxious
Cyberbullying
This type of bullying happens on social media, online forums, text and email. It can include receiving offensive and abusive messages. It also includes hacking into other people's accounts or spreading rumours online.
Cyberbullying can be difficult to deal with. You may not know what to do at first. But there are laws to protect people from online bullying.
Learn more about cyberbullying
Being bullied at work
Bullying at work can take the form of psychological or social intimidation. For example, making negative comments about your appearance, behaviour or performance in front of others.
No one should feel intimidated or threatened at work. Employers and employees have a duty by law to provide a safe and healthy work environment.
Learn more about dealing with bullying at work
Sexual harassment at work
Sexual harassment can be physical or emotional, and can happen to anyone.
If someone makes you uncomfortable, tell them. You could also inform human resources (HR). Sexual harassment in the workplace is against the law.
Learn more about dealing with sexual harassment at work
Bullying at school
Bullying at school can be physical, social or emotional. If a child is bullied at school they may be afraid to speak. They may worry that telling someone will make the bullying worse.
Signs of bullying at school include:
- not wanting to go to school
- poor quality schoolwork
- not being able to concentrate
- low mood or depression
- loss of confidence
- not wanting to go out
- torn clothes, broken glasses or missing schoolbooks
- repeated signs of bruising and injuries
If you think your child is being bullied at school, talk to the class teacher or school principal. All schools have an anti-bullying policy as part of their code of behaviour.
Learn more about bullying at school - citizensinformation.ie
Bullying in the family
Bullying can be done in a family setting by parents, siblings or other family members.
If the person is under 18 years, you can protect them. Follow the steps outlined by Children first - tusla.ie
If the person is a vulnerable adult, there are ways to raise a concern about adult abuse.
Why bullying happens
People may use bullying as a way of using power to make themselves feel better.
The person may bully as a way to deal with their own problems. It is not because of something you have done.
Difference between bullying and harassment
People who bully and people who harass other people often behave in slightly different ways.
A person may bully when there are no witnesses present and use methods which can seem fairly harmless. Sometimes a pattern of behaviour will have to be identified to prove that the bullying has happened.
A person who is guilty of harassment often uses more obvious tactics. For example, they may use offensive language or harass someone in front of other people. This can make harassment easier to identify and confront.
Finding support when you are bullied
Being bullied or harassed can leave you feeling vulnerable and alone.
It can be helpful to talk to someone about what is happening. Talking to someone can help you feel less alone. Try to talk to someone who is completely separate from the situation.