Page 5 - Anti-Bullying Policy 2020 19th Jan 2021

Definition of Bullying
What is bullying?
Bullying is behaviour by an individual or group, repeated over time, that intentionally hurts another

individual or group either physically or emotionally. Bullying can take many forms (for instance, cyber-
bullying via text messages or the internet), and is often motivated by prejudice against particular groups,
for example on grounds of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or because a child is adopted or has
caring responsibilities. It might be motivated by actual differences between children, or perceived
differences. Stopping violence and ensuring immediate physical safety is obviously our school’s first

priority but emotional bullying can be more damaging than physical; teachers and schools have to make
their own judgements about each specific case. Many experts say that bullying involves an imbalance
of power between the perpetrator and the victim. This could involve perpetrators of bullying having
control over the relationship which makes it difficult for those they bully to defend themselves. The
imbalance of power can manifest itself in several ways, it may be physical, psychological (knowing what
upsets someone), derive from an intellectual imbalance, or by having access to the support of a group,
or the capacity to socially isolate. It can result in the intimidation of a person or persons through the

threat of violence or by isolating them either physically or online. Preventing and tackling bullying Advice
for headteachers, staff and governing bodies, October 2014

Bullying may involve complicity that falls short of direct participation by, for instance, manipulating a
third party to tease or torment someone. It may be overt and intimidating but is often hidden and subtle.
Bullying can occur through several types of anti-social behaviour. A feature of bullying in schools is that
its existence is not always immediately known or suspected by those in authority. The school recognises
the seriousness of both physical and emotional bullying in causing psychological damage, eating

disorders, self-harm and can even lead to suicide. Although bullying in itself is not a specific criminal act
in the UK, some types of harassing or threatening behaviour or communications could be a criminal
offence; for example, under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, the Malicious Communications
Act 1988, the Communications Act 2003 and the Public Order Act 1986.

In UK law it is an offence for a person to send an electronic communication to another person with the
intent to cause distress or anxiety or to send an electronic communication which conveys a message

which is indecent or grossly offensive, a threat, or information which is false and known or believed to
be false by the sender. If our staff consider that an offence may have been committed, we will seek
assistance from the police.

As part of our Positive Behaviour Management Policy, RBIS Bangkok believes that all children and adults
have the right to live in a supportive, caring and safe environment without the fear of being bullied.
Bullying can occur through several types of anti-social behaviour. We treat bullying, including allegations
of bullying, very seriously.

Bullying – Child Protection Related Issues
A bullying incident is treated as a child protection concern when there is reasonable cause to suspect
that a child is suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm. In such cases the school reports its concerns
to the Designated Safeguarding Lead for each section of the school. Any kind of bullying is
unacceptable.

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Rasami British International School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students
and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. It is our aim that all students fulfil their potential.