There are many commonly-held myths and misconceptions around bullying. These can lead to an increased prevalence of these instances, poor support for victim/survivors, and incorrect outcomes in formal reporting procedures.
Here are some common myths and misconceptions, and the truths to counteract them. Email us on standingtogether@le.ac.uk if you have any more you'd like us to include.
Myth: Bullying only happens in schools
Fact: Bullying can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any age. This includes workplaces, placements, at university or online.
Myth: Bullying is easy to spot
Fact: There is no typical bully in the way they look, dress or act. Furthermore, bullying isn’t always physical and obvious. It can be verbal, emotional or online, and that can be much harder to identify.
Myth: Most of the time, it’s just harmless banter
Fact: Bullying can be very harmful, and have very serious consequences. It’s easy to dismiss some behaviours as jokes or banter, but if it’s making someone feel uncomfortable then it should be taken seriously. People sometimes think that cyberbulling is less serious, but it is important to remember that things can quickly escalate or even go viral, which can really impact someone’s mental health and sense of safety.
The University of Leicester is committed to protecting freedom of speech within the law. This means students, staff and visitors can share and discuss ideas, even where others may disagree.
But if you feel you have been harassed or discriminated against, this is not ok and may be against the law. We are here to listen and support you.
You can disclose this to us via our Report and Support tool and we can provide you with support.
If you don't want to speak to someone at the university, you can access more information and learn about support in the community here