.

THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE HAS APPEARED IN THE RECORD September 4, 2002

Understanding the dynamics
of a serial bully

Having spent a career in both juvenile and adult courtrooms I naturally encountered serial bullies of all ages and backgrounds. Regardless of their different crimes they almost always possessed the typical bully profile which includes being a liar, mean-spirited, selfish, highly manipulative and above all, emotionally immature. According to various experts, bullying is the number one relational dysfunction in the world. Because of human nature it is also unlikely to slip to a lower position. As long as there are people who want to dominate those they perceive as being weaker, bullies are bound to remain within our midst.

Whether they wear Armani suits or jeans, bullies of both genders can be found in every social, religious, political, professional group or organization. The people, places and jobs vary but the dynamics of serial bullies are similar. No matter how subtle or direct they appear, they all want to control, subjugate and to hurt. Even though the Criminal Code contains no reference to "bullying", it is nevertheless recognized as a form of violence that can lead to stress related illnesses, loss of self-respect, depression and even suicide. It is also the common denominator between many crimes of violence.

Varying degrees

While most bullies limit themselves to varying degrees of physiological violence in the hopes of not breaking the law, others aren't in the least bothered by such reservations. Some bullies are satisfied with just making their victims feel uncomfortable while others deliberately harass, threaten, intimidate and assault their targets. Prior to the 70s it was generally accepted that being exposed to bullies was just part of growing up. Despite the fact that schoolyard bullies could make other youngsters feel frightened or depressed even to the point of losing their self confidence, it was generally considered a way for them to learn to stand up for themselves. Lodging a criminal complaint or suing the school administrators was simply unheard of. Thanks to extensive research by psychologists, psychiatrists

Criminologists and educators, we now recognize that the harm can last a lifetime and can even be fatal. Just in the UK, it is estimated that at least 16 children commit suicide each year because of bullying. Last March, a landmark criminal trial in BC ended with a 16-year-old girl being found guilty of criminal harassment. The conviction dealt with various bullying tactics by the adolescent who had harassed the victim before she hanged herself.

Have their own problems

According to clinical experts, bullies are emotionally insecure persons with low self-esteem. They constantly feel the need to make themselves feel "big" or " better" by cowardly preying on individuals they perceive as easy victims. While they can be completely charming towards those who are not their targets, it is quite another matter for their victims. When seeking to gain power over them, their favorite method involves the infliction of psychological injury.

It is generally recognized that bullies are the product of two distinct upbringings. They either come from homes that were excessively indulgent and permissive, or were emotionally or physically victimized by bullies at home or at school. Peer pressure by bullies can be especially effective on children or adolescents who come from such backgrounds. Because bullies have the knack of picking out a person's weaknesses, they usually know whom they can bully and whom they can't. Even though most victims are singled out because of their psychological or physical traits, there are those who are targeted simply because their success, competence or popularity provokes the jealousy of the bully. Children are often picked on because of their physical condition such as being overweight or because of their physical disabilities. Others are selected because of their different race, religious faith or poor social skills. Children who are shy, sensitive, anxious or insecure are known to be particularly vulnerable.

It is also recognized that childhood bullies who never grow up are just as likely to cause havoc in their homes and workplaces when they become adults. As for the range and forms of adult bullying, they too are unlimited. Included are husbands who abuse their wives, parents who abuse their children, principals and teachers who abuse their students and police who abuse their suspects. Their commonly shared personality characteristics include the lack of tolerance and aggressive behavior towards all those who dare challenge their authority.

Workplace bullying is widespread and can be found everywhere from boardrooms to assembly lines. One U.S. study estimates that 1 in 5 American workers have experienced bullying tactics. It is also generally accepted that workplace bullies are more than twice as likely to be male with over 80 per cent being supervisors and higher-up persons in authority. Co-workers make up the balance.

Workplace bullies

Just as bullying at school causes serious problems, workplace bullies are capable of poisoning their workplace environment by inciting low morale, fear, anger and depression. Workplace bullying is characterized in large part by the imbalance of power between corporate personnel and manifests it whenever a person in authority repeatedly abuses his or her position. Much of the abuse occurs behind closed doors and involves "bosses" who make it their duty to insult, undermine, humiliate, harass or deliberately ignore their subordinates. Human resource managers now recognize the enormous financial costs resulting from workplace bullying. Reduced productivity, high staff turnover, stress-related illnesses and absenteeism resulting from time off taken by harassed employees are only some of the factors they consider.

Society's evolving attitude towards bullying has also had a steady impact on our judicial system. Bullies are being made more and more accountable for their acts much like employers and persons in authority who fail to protect those under their charge or direction. Last April the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal ruled that North Vancouver school officials discriminated against a student when they failed to prevent "repeated homophobic taunts and physical attacks by his peers at school". As a result of the injury to his dignity and self-respect while he was a student, the school board was ordered to pay him $4,000. Next week: Part II: Dealing with bullies