Bullying Victimization

Bullying victimization refers to the experience of being the target of repeated aggressive behavior intended to harm, intimidate, or exert power over another person. This can include physical acts (hitting, pushing), verbal attacks (name-calling, threats), social exclusion (being deliberately left out or humiliated), and increasingly, digital harassment (cyberbullying). A defining feature is power imbalance — whether physical strength, social status, group dynamics, or psychological leverage — combined with repetition over time. It is not a single conflict or disagreement, but a pattern that places one person in a persistently vulnerable position. The effects of bullying victimization can extend well beyond the immediate situation. Research links it to increased risk of anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and difficulties with trust and social connection. In some individuals, especially when exposure is prolonged or occurs during sensitive developmental periods, it may contribute to longer-term stress sensitivity and emotional dysregulation. Bullying is not a reflection of the target’s character or worth. It arises within social environments — schools, workplaces, peer groups, and we can see its effects on an entire country — where harmful dynamics are allowed to take hold or go unaddressed.