Supplementary memorandum submitted by
the Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA)
BULLYING AND
HOW IT
AFFECTS CHILDREN
WITH SEN
1. There is evidence from children that
bullying occurs both in Special Schools and in Mainstream, which
suggests that they are not safe simply because they are in a Special
School. There is apparently a hierarchy of difficulties and those
who are more able and articulate can bully weaker ones. The major
difficulty children report is coping with those who have behavioural
and emotional difficulties. On the other hand they found it easier
to help and understand those with physical disabilities.
2. We have a report on this evidence with
SEN children and their siblings containing their views on what
they'd like to see and what works or doesn't.
3. They insist that sometimes the support
worker can over protect the person who should try and join the
dinner queue and other similar situations—they get respected
more.
EXCLUSION
This is seen by young people as a poor response.
1. They have told me many times that the
excluded perpetrator "gets a holiday" while I have to
go to school.
2. The perpetrator may be at home with
the difficult family problems that are causing the bullying in
the first place. ("Bullying in Britain" by Katz, A.
Buchanan, A. and Bream, V. Young Voice, shows links with violence
and harsh punitive parenting styles).
3. It does not work with the bully to change
their behaviour.
4. Bullies have been known to lie in wait
for the victim after school or go to their home and trash laundry
or damage windows.
5. The whole class is not learning something
as a result and no reparation is being made to the victim.
6. There is no evidence that the victim
is in fact safer. Retaliation may follow out of sight of the school.
7. If used it should be coupled with other
steps to change the behaviour and protect the victim.
LONG-TERM
EFFECTS OF
BULLYING
1. There are a very few people who triumph
over it and say they are stronger as a result.
2. A larger group become depressed and withdrawn.
They may leave school earlier than planned (especially common
among those bullied for being thought to be Gay). They may feel
their school years were blighted and take part in fewer activities
as a result. Their right to education may be compromised. There
are demonstrable links with bullying and suicidal thoughts and
actions.
3. Others may become belligerent in turn
as a defence. They can bully others as they've learned that this
is the way to power and to avoid being the victim ever again.
They may internalise this behaviour and learn from parents who
are very bullying that this is how to behave.
4. There are well-known links with bullying
and offending. (Olweus first demonstrated a link in his longitudinal
studies and others have since shown this repeatedly. I have looked
at a sample of prisoners and asked about bullying—the rate
of response is extremely high.)
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