Remember a time when you witnessed or participated in bullying behaviour. Do you need to go back in time to elementary or high school? University or your work place?

Who was the target? A non-athlete in gym class? A person with a stutter? Someone overweight? Thin? Smart? Someone who was just a bit different?

Close your eyes and spend a moment…..can you see their hurt?

Here are some behaviours to ponder over. Do you see your current or past self in here?

Do you bully?
Look over the following list. If the answer is ‘yes’ to one or two of these questions, you are doing a bit of bullying. If the answer is ‘yes’ to three or more of these questions, time to take a look at your choice of behaviour – you are bullying and may not even know it! It may be time to find ways to change your behaviour.

1. Do you pick or look down on people who are smaller, weaker or different than you, or on animals? Yes/No
2. Do you tease or taunt other people? Yes/No
3. If you tease people, do you like to see them get upset? Yes/No
4. Do you laugh when other people make mistakes? Either because it’s funny or because others are laughing? Yes/No
5. Do you like to destroy or take other people’s stuff? Yes/No
6. Do you want others to think you’re the toughest? most clever? best? coolest? most defiant? most carefree? Yes/No
7. Do you get angry a lot or stay angry for a long time? Yes/No
8. Do you often give others the silent treatment? Yes/No
9. Do you blame other people for things that go wrong in your life? Yes/No
10. Do you blame other people for your behaviour? (say things like “If you were more interesting; I would behave” or “If my job was better, I’d do more work”, “If school wasn’t boring, I would be more respectful” ?) Yes/No
11. Do you like to get revenge on people who have hurt you? Yes/No
12. If you lose at something, do you worry about what other people will think of you? Yes/No
13. Do you get angry or a jealous when someone else succeeds? Yes/No
14. When you play a game or a sport, do you always have to be the winner? Yes/No
15. Do you spread or start rumours? Yes/No
16. Do you debase others? Either people in your life, celebrities, politicians, sport celebrities? Yes/No

Remember: NOBODY IS PERFECT.

People choose to bully to feel better, regain power or exert some power. It is what you do next that will define you.

How do you make things better, how do you accept responsibility for your actions – even when you are not proud of them! If you’re using these behaviours – try to change one or two at a time! Ask your friends to help you.

Do you stay away from bullying behaviour but stand by and let it happen around you? How can you take a stand against it? Is it safe to speak up? Can you speak to the person being targeted and offer some kind words? You help even when you take small actions against bullying and intimidating behaviour.