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First of all, some short definitions…

What is Bullying?

Bullying is a phenomenon that affects boys and girls without distinction. The term, "bullying" literally means "to intimidate" and can involve very obvious bullying or more subtle forms of bullying which concern the area of ​​the relationship and acts through more subtle and veiled exclusion. This is often more difficult to identify for external observers as it involves "psychological" aggression rather than physical violence. 

For the purposes of the law, the term "bullying" means aggression or repeated harassment, by a single person or a group of people, against one or more victims, in order to cause them feelings of anxiety, fear, isolation or marginalization, through harassing acts or behaviour, physical or psychological pressure and violence, instigation to suicide or self-harm, threats or blackmail, theft or damage, offenses or derision, also the race, language, religion, sexual orientation, political opinion, physical appearance or personal and social conditions of the victim. (from art. 1 paragraph 2 of the law proposal 3139 of 2016).

What is Cyberbullying?

For the purposes of the law, the term «cyberbullying» means any behavior or act, even if not repeated, which is perpetrated through the use of the telephone network, the internet, instant messaging, social networks or other telematic platforms . It also means the creation, publication and online diffusion (through the network, chat rooms, blogs or forums) of images, audio or video recordings, or other multimedia contents, made for the purpose of offending the honor , the decorum and reputation of one or more victims, as well as identity theft and impersonation operated by computer means in order to acquire and manipulate personal data, or to publish information harmful to the honour, decorum and reputation of the victim." (from art. 1 paragraph 2 of the law proposal 3139 of 2016).

What are the roles in a bullying episode?

  • The child or young person (CYP) engaged in bullying behavior: is the person who commits acts of bullying.

  • The helper: he is a follower of the CYP engaged in bullying behavior. He often acts in a bullying manner as well, but may not be leading or as active as others.

  • The supporter: is the one who by laughing, inciting or simply observing tends to reinforce the bully's behavior.

  • The target: is the one who the bullying is directed at or who is victimised.

  • The upstander or defender: is the one who stands up for the victim by trying to console him or her or to make the bullying stop
  • The outsider: is a passive bystander who tries to stay out of the situation

     

 

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