CathBlog - Adult bullying a social disease - CathNews

CathBlog - Adult bullying a social disease - CathNews
Adult bullying is a widespread form of abuse. It is exists in all forms of employment, cultures and organisations, including churches.
It is emotional terrorisation that can paralyse the victim. Indeed it is this powerlessness and subjugation that gives this type of violence its uniqueness.
The human and financial costs are extensive. It is estimated that in Western societies one-third to one-half of all stress-related illnesses are due to bullying at the workplace.
Bullying is the abuse of power. Individuals, groups or institutions driven by fear of their own inadequacies, seek to demean persons or groups, who are normally not in a position to defend themselves, for example women in patriarchal churches, people questioning the status quo.
Bullies will try all kinds of intimidation or terrorisation, some extremely subtle, to force people to comply. It could be constant nitpicking or fault-finding, sarcastic remarks, excessive work demands, excessive numbers of memos or letters, passive aggression, refusing to speak to a person. It could be withholding information to maintain power over the victim.
It could be breaking physical, role and emotional boundaries. For example, a bully can enter the physical territory, e.g. office space, get access to private files and computer information, without permission. Abusive language and gestures are forms of emotional invasion.
In cyber-bullying the violator uses e-mail systems or internet forums to send aggressive mails to victims. The impersonal Bullying is not a rational process, so avoid, if possible, avoid being alone with them. Seek advice.
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We non-victims must find ways to help. If not, we collude with bullies and share in their guilt.