Every third Friday in March, Australia prepares to observe National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence. This year’s event occurs on March 17. On this day, educational institutions collaborate with school-based communities and students to discover simple and effective anti-bullying measures. National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence was initiated by a major Australian anti-bullying initiative, Bullying. No Way!, and aims to create enduring solutions to bullying in Australian schools.
The background of National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence
Bullying — repeated acts of aggression intended to harm and disturb — is not a novel concept; history demonstrates that bullying has existed for centuries. According to historical records from the 18th and 19th centuries, physical harassment was common among adolescents and frequently led to death, social isolation, or extortion.
Bullying was so prevalent that no one initially bothered to investigate it seriously. Even though the media in countries such as the United Kingdom, Japan, and Korea would report on incidents of bullying, large-scale research on bullying was uncommon until the 1970s.
According to scientists, bullying may be something our progenitors passed down to us. The theory holds that cross-cultural and cross-racial behaviors are typically the result of evolution. Before the invention of language, the earliest forms of abuse may have primarily involved physical aggression. Once upon a time, bullying and aggressive behavior conferred individuals with a privileged position among their peers and organizations. Such behavior would allow them to attract mates, assert their dominance, and even protect their offspring. Survival of the healthiest, in the strictest sense.
Then, as languages evolved, so did tormenting techniques. First in person, then over a screen, as technology moved our interactions online, words were used as weapons. Today, cyberbullying is as prevalent, if not more so, than abuse in person.
Numerous nations, organizations, and educational institutions around the world are addressing bullying through a variety of initiatives. This cause is further supported by the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence.
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5 IMPORTANT FACTS REGARDING BULLYING
Various studies indicate that increasing playground interactions, promoting school values such as a zero-tolerance anti-bullying policy, and eliminating blind areas so adults can supervise students at all times help reduce bullying.
Animals experience it as well; bullied rodents lose their appetite and bullied baboons are beaten.
In the 1530s, it meant’sweetheart,’ but by the 17th century, it had taken on the negative connotation of “harasser of the weak.”
If perpetrated by a group, it is referred to as mobbing, and when it occurs in school or the workplace, it is referred to as peer abuse.
Saying something against bullies can prevent this behavior, whereas remaining mute encourages it.
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NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION AGAINST BULLYING AND VIOLENCE DATES
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2022 | March 18 | Friday |
2023 | March 17 | Friday |
2024 | March 15 | Friday |
2025 | March 21 | Friday |
2026 | March 20 | Friday |