Bullying is generally defined as an intentional act that causes harm to others and may involve verbal harassment, verbal or nonverbal threats, physical assault, stalking, or other methods of coercion such as manipulation, blackmail, or extortion. It is aggressive behavior that intends to hurt, threaten or frighten another person.

The aggressor often has real or perceived power over the victim. Bullying occurs in a variety of contexts, such as schools, workplaces, political or military settings, and others. It is often associated most with school-age children, but can happen among people of any age.

When you, your child, or someone close to you is being bullied, there are many ways to help resolve the situation. Make sure you understand what bullying is and what it is not, the warning signs of bullying, and steps to take for preventing and responding to bullying, including how to talk to children about bullying, prevention in schools and communities, and how to support the children involved.

Examples of bullying behavior are:

• Picks on their target regularly, even daily (repetition)

• Wins because their victim is smaller, younger, or less able to cope socially (a power imbalance)

• Enjoys seeing their target afraid and upset (intent to harm)

These are just a few examples of bullying behavior according to the National Education Association.