Bullying is NEVER ok. It is hurtful and can impact someone for a long time. Remember, you are not alone. There are people you can talk to and things you can do to stop the bullying.
Bullying happens when a person or a group of people repeatedly and intentionally use words or actions to cause distress and harm to another person's safety and wellbeing.

Bullying can happen anywhere. It can be in schools, at home, at work, in online social spaces, via text messaging or via email. It can be physical, verbal, emotional, and it also includes messages, public statements and behaviour online intended to cause distress or harm (also known as cyberbullying). But no matter what form bullying takes, the results can be the same - severe distress and pain for the person being bullied.

Bullying isn't the same as a 'normal' conflict between people (such as having an argument or a fight) or simply disliking someone. It's more about repeated behaviour by someone who has power or control over someone else.

The sort of repeated behaviour that can be considered bullying includes:

Keeping someone out of a group (online or offline).
Acting in an unpleasant way near or towards someone.
Giving nasty looks, making rude gestures, calling names, being rude and impolite, and constant negative teasing.
Spreading rumours or lies, or misrepresenting someone (i.e. using their Facebook account to post messages as if it were them)
Harassing someone based on their race, sex, religion, gender or a disability.
Hurtful comments making fun of you or your work.
Giving you pointless or demeaning tasks that don’t help you do your job.
Intentionally and repeatedly hurting someone physically.
Intentionally stalking someone.

Leigh Taafe