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Report on Workshop 2009: Theme BULLYING held in The Strand Hotel Omeath Co Louth Saturday 24th January 2009

The following participated in the workshop:
Ms Anne Mulldowney
Mr Pat Ferrigan
Mr Paul Johnston
Mr Don Johnston
Mr Dermot Mooney
Mr William Jones
Mr Eric Hynes
Mr Kevin Hynes
Cllr Éamonn O’Boyle
Archbishop Michael D Hynes Facilitator
Mr Seán Crudden
Prof Dennis Pringle
Mr Michael Corrigan

The participants each gave great insight into the topic of Bullying coming from diverse backgrounds.
Bullying often describes a form of harassment perpetrated by an abuser who possesses more physical and/or social power and dominance than the victim.
Many programmes have been started to prevent bullying for example Trinity College Dublin have been a great response via their Anti- Bullying Centre.
It was argued that bullies hurt people verbally and physically because they themselves have been a victim of bullying most likely in their childhood years being abused at home or where bullying adults were abused by their colleagues say in the workplace or sporting arena.
Bullying can occur in any setting where there is human interaction including schools, church, workplace, home, neighbourhood, political arena, Garda, Military and literally anywhere that there is social interaction.
Bullying behaviour may include name calling, verbal or written abuse, exclusion from activities, exclusions from social situations, physical abuse or coercion. Direct bullying: can involve much physical aggression, shoving, poking, throwing things, slapping, chocking, punching, kicking, beating, stabbing, pulling hair, scratching, biting, scraping and pinching.
Indirect Bullying: can be seen as threatening the victim into social isolation achieved thought a variety of techniques such as spreading gossip, refusing to socialize the victim and bullying other people who wish to socialize with the victim, and criticizing the victims manner of dress and other socially significant markers (including the victims breed, race, religion, disability or ability et cetera).
Characteristics of Bullies: reveal bullies have personalities that are authoritarian as well as dominating. Bullying can also be used as a tool to conceal and boost self esteem by humiliating others: by weakening others the abuser feels empowered. It was suggested bullying behaviour can have a foundation from childhood as if aggressive behaviour is not challenged it may become habitual. Bullying often operates through psychological or verbal abuse rather than say through the involvement of criminal or physical violence.
Targets of Bullying: those who are socially isolated and seen as an easy target for a bully such as certain children in schools and adults of who are lees able to defend themselves in the workplace. Cyperbullying: has become to the fore where bullies even create blogs to intimidate victims worldwide as well as unsolicited e-mails with advertisements that are seen as anti-social for example such as extent your manhood et cetera.
Hazing: the performing of meaningless tasks can be humiliating and degrading for the victim in all walks of life sexual assaults by work mates in vulnerable situations where power and trust is abused. Where bosses say bullies a worker in front of customers et cetera.

To conclude the workshop raised many issues which time did not allow us to develop in the course of the workshop. As they say “Rome was not built in a day” – neither can we eradicate bullying during the course of our workshop. However! Hopefully this workshop on BULLYING will raise awareness that we can help diminish the anti-social compulsion of inflicting fear or threat to individuals in our society.

Most Rev Dr Michael D Hynes
Secretary/PRO
Cooley Environmental and Health Group (CEHG)


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