SCHOOL BULLYING BREEDS ADULT BULLIES

Almost seven out of 10 Australian adults have been negatively impacted by school bullying and an alarming 41 per cent of those who bullied others at school admit they could do it again in adult life according to new research released by Wesley Mission. The Wesley Mission survey of 1200 people aged from 18-44 years also shows that some victims of school bullying are still struggling to cope with their childhood experiences and require ongoing professional support and counselling.”The report is a warning to those who claim that bullying is a normal part of growing up and has no long-term consequences,” Wesley Mission CEO the Rev Keith Garner said. “School bullying leaves long term scars, affecting work, relationships and an ability to trust people. Being left out at school can mean exclusion in adult life.” The 95-page Wesley Report shows that low self-esteem and a lack of assertiveness, followed by aggression and difficulty in controlling anger were the most common social skills associated with school bullying.”These are important to an individual’s ability to handle life and relationships confidently and successfully,” Mr Garner said. “The long-term cost of bullying to the community for counselling, support services, sick leave and the treatment of substance abuse is enormous.” The survey questioned victims of bullying, bullies, and those who were victims and who then became bullies themselves. The report found:

* 85 per cent of respondents said bullying had affected them in some way in adult life

* 69 per cent of respondents reported that the bullying experience had some form of negative impact on their adult life.

* 85 per cent of female victims were excluded on purpose from social groups, compared to their male peers (77 per cent)

* 41 per cent of victims never seek advice or help, even though they are affected.

* 51 per cent reported feeling ashamed of their bullying actions when they were in school but 41 per cent of respondents reported feeling that they could bully again without feeling remorse.

* Pack bullying went on for longer than bullying by individuals: 34 per cent of victims said pack bullying lasted more than a year compared to 16 per cent who said that individual bullying lasted more than a year.

* Victims of pack bullying scored lower than the generally acceptable level of self-esteem than those who were bullied by individuals.

* Victims of pack bullying reported being subject to high rates of emotional bullying in school: 87 per cent reported being left out of occasional peer group activities. “Wesley Mission understands that peer abuse is a complex personal and social problem,” Mr Garner said. “As a result, bullying is not just a consideration for schools or parents; ending peer abuse is everyone’s responsibility. No-one deserves to be left out or excluded. “Wesley Mission staff who provide support services for families, children and young people constantly find that bullying leaves many people with unresolved issues in adult life,”"Wesley Mission seeks to develop stronger and more collaborative partnerships between community service providers and schools,” Mr Garner said. “Wesley Mission workers have found a link between the bullying experience at school and conflict at home: both bullies and victims struggle with self-esteem, assertiveness and anger.” Wesley Mission’s goal is to create a safer environment for all children to reach their potential, which means helping all those involved – bullies, victims and people in their communities – to lead positive, productive lives.

Source: Wesley Mission Press Release

December 2009

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