Differences and Similarities Between Abuse, Bullying and Harassment

Violence & Abuse Prevention Canadian Red Cross

DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES BETWEEN ABUSE, BULLYING AND HARASSMENT

When considering how to respond to abuse, bullying and harassment, we must first understand the underlying differences and similarities between these categories of behaviour.

ABUSE (AND NEGLECT) BULLYING HARASSMENT

Basis for „ misuse of power „ misuse of power „ misuse of power Violence „ emotional abuse „ verbal „ racism Types of „ physical abuse „ physical „ disability Violence „ neglect „ relational harassment „ sexual abuse „ reactive „ sexual harassment „ abuse of power and authority „ criminal harassment

Legislation „ Convention on „ CRC „ CRC and Policies the Rights of „ Criminal Code „ Human rights the Child (CRC) „ organization’s legislation: „ provincial/ policies federal, provincial territorial Child and territorial Protection Acts „ Criminal Code „ Criminal Code „ organization’s „ organization’s policies policies

Victims „ any child or „ any person, but „ any person in youth as defined most frequently Canada 12 years by Child are children and of age and older Protection Acts youth „ male or female „ male or female „ male or female

Perpetrators „ people who are „ any person, but „ any person in in positions of most frequently Canada 12 years trust and authority are children or of age and older over children and youth „ male or female youth „ male or female „ male or female

Mandate „ protection issue „ relationship issue „ rights issue „ justice issue if „ justice issue if „ justice issue if criminality has criminality has criminality has occurred occurred occurred

Philosophy „ victim is blameless „ victim is blameless „ victim is blameless

Fairholm and Ferguson, 2002

© Canadian Red Cross, 2006 Canadian Red Cross For more information, go to www.redcross.ca/RespectED