Verbal Bullying
There are many forms of verbal bullying. Slandering occurs when a false or malicious statement is made about a person. Ridiculing someone by means of using language or behaviour intended to humiliate or mock them particularly in front of others. Persistent name calling of someone, which is hurtful, insulting or humiliating. Using a person as a joke and spreading the joke around. Using abusive and offensive language to others and spreading malicious rumours. These are all forms of Verbal Bullying.

Physical Bullying
There are many forms of physical bullying such as pushing, shoving, kicking, poking, spitting, hitting and tripping people up. On a more serious level these can include assaults or threats of physical assault. Physical bullying can take other forms such as threatening others, or making them do things they don’t want to do by force, and even taking or damaging a person’s property.

Gesture Bullying
There are many forms of gesture bullying. These are intended to intimidate the victim. They consist of non-verbal threatening gestures, glances that can convey threatening and frightening messages, and making someone feel uncomfortable or scared.

Exclusion
There are many forms of exclusion bullying such as socially or physically excluding someone by not allowing them or involving them in conversation, in the group, in social activities and games etc. Another form of exclusion is turning people against one another.

Extortion
There are many forms of extortion. They include the deliberate extraction of money or other items of property from a person by means of threats or violence. Furthermore, blackmail is another form of extortion. This can occur when a bully uses information against somebody. Blackmail and extortion are crimes and should be reported to the police.

Racist Bullying

This happens when someone is being targeted for representing a particular colour, creed, race, religion, or culture. Racist bullying is therefore likely to hurt not only the victim, but also others from the same group and their families. In the 1999 McPherson Report, racist bullying was defined as “any incident which is perceived to be racist by the victim or any other person. Racist bullying can include: Verbal abuse by name calling, racist jokes, offensive mimicry, physical threats or attacks, wearing of provocative badges and insignia, bringing racist leaflets, comics or magazines, inciting others to behave in a racist way, racist graffiti or other written insults – even against food, music, dress or customs, refusing to co-operate in work or in play.

Sexual Bullying
This impacts on both genders, girls and boys. A case of proven sexual assault is likely to lead to the exclusion of the perpetrator and police involvement. Sexual bullying is very serious and is characterised by:
Abusive name-calling, looks and comments about appearance, attractiveness or emerging puberty. It also includes inappropriate and uninvited touching, sexual innuendos and propositions, pornographic material, for example graffiti with sexual content and in its most extreme form, sexual assault or rape.
You should report any incident of sexual bullying urgently.

Homophobic Bullying
This may happen to pupils who are seen to be gay, lesbian or bi-sexual. Homophobic bullying can be characterised by use of homophobic language, lesbian or gay material being targeted at the victim, graffiti with homophobic content and comments on mannerisms.

Bullying of children with special needs or disabilities
This may occur when children have a specific special need or disability. It may be that the child has a speech impediment such as stammering, is dyslexic, wears glasses or has a physical disability. They are often at greater risk of being bullied both directly and indirectly. This type of bullying is characterised by name-calling, teasing, hitting, exclusion from the group etc.

Bullying by text messages on mobile phones
This is when someone is sending you a text, which is indecent or grossly offensive, and includes any threat via text, any malicious message, false information, and any message which can cause distress or anxiety to the recipient. Bullies are now using text technology to harass their victims. Text harassment is a crime and it should always be reported to the police.

Cyber Bullying
This is when someone is sending you an E-mail, which is indecent or grossly offensive, a threat via e-mail, any malicious message by e-mail, false information, and any e-mail which can cause distress or anxiety to the recipient. Bullies are now using Internet technology to harass their victims. Cyber bullying is a crime and it should be reported to the police.

What to do if you are being cyber or mobile bullied.
If you are being bullied by text or calls, your phone company can bar the bully’s number from calling you or change your number for you. You need to contact your phone company and explain what is happening. They would not charge you for this service. Remember it is against the law for someone to bully you either by phone, text or e-mail under the Protection from Harassment act 1997 and the malicious communications act 1988. Breaking these laws is an offence and can carry a prison sentence.