Bullying Support Groups

Mutual support groups whose members are individuals (often children and youth but also adults) who are experiencing or are affected by bullying and who may benefit from a therapeutic setting in which people who have been subjected to similar types of victimization can support one another in healing. Groups may also be structured for people who exhibit bullying behavior. Bullying can be defined as intentional, repeated, hurtful acts such as name-calling, threatening or shunning inflicted by one or more persons whose power may come from physical strength, age, financial status, popularity, social status or by association (the people they know, who their family is). Harmful bullying can also occur quietly and covertly, through gossip or postings on the Internet; and while most frequently occurring at school, can also happen in the workplace or other settings. The groups may meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet.