School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS)

Definition of bullying

The national definition of bullying for Australian schools says:

Bullying is an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power, or perceived power, over one or more persons who feel unable to stop it from happening.

Bullying can happen in person or online, via various digital platforms and devices and it can be obvious (overt) or hidden (covert). Bullying behaviour is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time (for example, through sharing of digital records).

Bullying of any form or for any reason can have immediate, medium and long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders. Single incidents and conflict or fights between equals, whether in person or online, are not defined as bullying.

Behaviours that do not constitute bullying include:

mutual arguments and disagreements (where there is no power imbalance)

not liking someone or a single act of social rejection

one-off acts of meanness or spite

isolated incidents of aggression, intimidation or violence.

However, these conflicts still need to be addressed and resolved.

Exploring the definition further

Bullying has three main features:

It involves a misuse of power in a relationship

It is ongoing and repeated, and it involves behaviour that can cause harm.