Bullying and Harassment

Bullying definition

Bullying is a pattern of aggressive physical or verbal behaviour meant to hurt or cause discomfort to another person. Bullies rely on power to harm others. This power can come from physical size, strength, status, or support from within their peer group.

Harassment definition

Harassment occurs when someone is subjected to unwelcome verbal or physical acts because of their race, religious beliefs, gender, physical or mental disability, age, ancestry, place of origin, marital status, family status, personal characteristics, or sexual orientation.

Sexual Harassment definition

Sexual harassment is any behavior, conduct, comment, gesture, or contact of a sexual nature that is unwanted and makes one feel uncomfortable.

Remeber 

Everyone should feel safe within the college community, and no one deserves to be bullied or harassed. if you ever experience bullying or harassment, remember:

  • Asking for help is not a sign of weakness
  • Telling someone about being bullied is not snitching
  • Focus on everything that’s great about you – others notice these things too
  • The things that single you out to your bullies are the things that make you the wonderfully singular person you are
  • There are options at Langara to report incidents of bullying or harassment   

 

Types of Bullying and Harassment

Physical

Physical bullying and harassment involves a person being harmed or their property being damaged. Some examples include: 

  • Slapping, hitting, pinching, punching, kicking, unwelcome touching
  • Being locked in a confined space, extortion, breaking or stealing belongings
  • Sexual violence or assault
Verbal

With verbal bullying, a person’s feelings are hurt through insults and name-calling. Some examples include: 

  • Name-calling, threats, unwelcome teasing or taunting
  • Racist, sexist or homophobic comments 
Social

In social bullying, a person is shunned or excluded from groups and events. Some examples may include:

  • Mocking other people, spreading rumours, gossiping
  • Threatening, insulting, or demeaning graffiti, notes, letters, emails, texts or telephone calls 
Cyber

Cyberbullying is a form of verbal or social bullying when technology is used in order to harm other people in a deliberate, repeated or hostile manner. Some examples are: 

  • Abusive or hurtful texts, emails, posts, images or videos
  • Imitating others online or using their log-in without permission
  • Spreading of gossip or rumors through online or mobile technology
  • Forwarding something to another person that was meant to be private
  • Recording someone, or circulating recordings of someone, without their permission

Tips If Experiencing Bullying or Harassment

  • Don’t respond to the bully or inappropriate messages
  • Screenshot and save the messages, emails, or images that have been posted online as evidence
  • Block the person from contacting you again
  • Report the person to the service providers (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, etc.)
  • Tell someone you trust
  • Get help and report it

Witnessing Bullying or Harassment

Speak up and offer support for the victim

 If you step in to support the victim, other people are more likely to step in too. You can directly support the victim if it’s safe to do so, or try to distract the bully or harasser. Make sure the person who is experiencing the bullying is OK by asking them how they’re doing and reminding them that it’s not their fault. 

Encourage the victim to report the harassment or bullying 

Let the victim know that they can confidentially report harassment or bullying to the Office of Student Support, Rights and Responsibilities if they are a student (or to their supervisor if they are an employee). 

Report what you observe 

As a witness you can also report harassment or bullying to the Office of Student Support, Rights and Responsibilities if you are a student (or to your supervisor if you are an employee). 

Work with your student union and college administration to bring awareness to your campus 

Contact your Langara Student’s Union (LSU) representatives to see what initiatives you can be a part of to increase awareness of the impacts of bullying and harassment on your campus. The LSU is located in the L Building, and can be reached at 604.324.3881.