Bullying and Harming Others
Last updated: October 7, 2008
Table of Contents
1. Introduction to bullying
Bullying is deliberately hurtful behaviour, usually repeated over a period of time, where it is difficult for the victims to defend themselves.
The damage inflicted by bullying is often underestimated. It can cause considerable distress to children, to the extent that it affects their health and development and can be a source of significant harm, including self-harm and suicide.
Bullying can include emotional and / or physical harm to such a degree that it constitutes significant harm, and it should therefore be considered a safeguarding issue.
Significant harm is defined as a situation where a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, a degree of physical, sexual and / or emotional harm, through abuse or neglect, which is so harmful that there needs to be compulsory intervention by child protection agencies into the life of the child and their family: for further details refer to conducting section 47 enquiries procedure.
