What is bullying: its types and a guide to deal with it in schools

Nowadays, many know what school bullying is. It is a problem that affects children and adolescents all over the world. It is not limited to just physical violence, but also includes psychological and verbal violence, which can be equally harmful and even more difficult to detect. 

In many cases, students are the primary victims of their own peers, although situations in which school personnel engage in bullying have also been identified. 

What is bullying? 

Bullying is a type of violence that is carried out in schools when a schoolchild or group of schoolchildren assaults another repeatedly. The objective of this practice is to intimidate or control the victim. Currently, different types of bullying have been identified. 

What are the types of bullying? 

There are several forms of school bullying, each with specific characteristics: 

• Physical bullying: Includes hitting, pushing, stealing or damaging belongings. It is an obvious and frequent form of violence in educational institutions.
• Verbal bullying: It consists in insults, mockery, offensive nicknames or threats. It can seriously affect the victim's self-esteem.
• Psychological bullying: Manipulation, social exclusion or constant intimidation. It can be difficult to detect, as it leaves no physical traces.
• Sexual bullying: Includes comments or actions with unwanted sexual connotation. It can lead to harassment or abuse. 

What is the impact of bullying in the school environment? 

Bullying generates an environment of fear and insecurity within schools. Victims may experience: 

• Anxiety and depression.
• Low academic performance.
• Loss of interest in attending school.
• Physical and mental health problems. 

Aggressors, on the other hand, may develop patterns of violent behavior that lead them to conflicts in their adult lives. 

Guide to confronting bullying in schools 

To prevent and confront bullying in schools, it is important to apply effective strategies: 

Being attentive to detect cases of violence 

Teachers should observe students and identify signs of harassment, such as isolation or changes in their behavior. Early detection is key to preventing the problem from escalating. 

Referring cases that require support 

Not all cases can be resolved within the school. It is fundamental to have professionals, such as psychologists and social workers, who provide support to the victims and their families. 

Promoting respect for vital space and boundaries 

Students must learn to set limits and respect the personal space of others. An environment where respect and empathy are valued must be fostered. 

Naming the various forms of violence 

It is important to talk about bullying and its different forms so that students can identify it and know how to react to it. Hypothetical situations can be presented and debated in class. 

Recognizing situations of violence 

Children and adolescents should be aware that violence is not normal nor acceptable. By acknowledging harassment, measures can be taken to stop it and prevent it from happening again. 

Talking About It 

Opening up the dialogue about bullying is one of the best ways to prevent it. Teachers must create safe spaces where students feel comfortable to express their experiences and concerns. 

What to do in the face of bullying? 

If a student is a victim of harassment or knows someone who is, it is important that he/she report the case, talking to the tutor teacher, psychologist or coordinator. In the event of a grave case, he/she can go to the governing body of the educational institution. 

To that effect, the Ministry of Education makes available a platform called SíseVe (YesWeSeeIt), where anyone, confidentially, can report any case of physical, psychological or sexual violence against children or adolescents, whether inside or outside educational institutions. Here, we explain to you the steps to follow: 

Go to the SíseVe platform, on your computer or cell phone. 

1. Then click on the "Report a case" button, create your account, enter your National ID No. and fill in your personal information.
2. Finally, enter the security code that appears on your screen and click on the “Sign up user” button. Then log in with the password that you created.
3. You can also report cases of violence to the email address siseve@minedu.gob.pe or to the WhatsApp number 991410000. 

More in the “Educational Quality” program 

The series “Strengthening Socio-emotional Skills” offers a list of recommendations to improve the school environment in Peru through the YouTube channel of the Wiese Foundation. For more information, we invite you to consult the Educational Quality program.