Bullying and independent living

A big part of independent living is bullying. Bullying is when a person or group uses physical harm, hurtful teasing or threat, to abuse, dominate or intimidate as well as persuading someone to do something by using force or threats. It is intended to hurt another individual, physically, mentally or emotionally. Who are the victims? Boys, girls, men and women. Often times people think of school age (in the schools, or on the playground) when it comes to bullying. It is much more. It is out in the community and even in the workplace. It happens to adults too. For adults it often times can be in the workplace or even at home. Signs of adults being bullied, can be lost of self worth, loss of interest, increase health problems, decrease in job performance and even thoughts or acts or hurting themselves. What are the signs in children? Unexplainable injuries, lost or destroyed items, feeling sick or faking illness, changes in eating, difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares, declining in school performance, loss of interest, or not wanting to go to school, sudden loss of friends or avoidance of social situations, feelings of helplessness or decreased self esteem, self-destructive behaviors such as running away from home, harming themselves, or talking about suicide. When a person is being bullied ALWAYS take it seriously especially when a victim says it is happening. It is very difficult for a victim (children and adults) to admit they are being bullied for fear of retaliation, being ignored or told it will pass. For children keep in contact with the school teachers and staff, or other adults if it is occurring outside of the school about the situation. For adult victims tell them to talk to someone like a person in Human Resources when its at work or a counselor. If it happens at work tell them to document and even send emails to HR so they can keep track of what's going on.