Does Bullying happen in college?

It is an easy assumption to say that bullying is something that kids do. When we hear the word "bullying," we typically associate it with images of a big kid asking somebody half their size for his or her lunch money. While this can be quite correct, bullying knows no age. A bully can exist wherever boredom and ignorance are found—those factors are a bully's motivation. Many of us are familiar with the damaging effects of high school bullying, but what about college-age harassment?

Bullying can take many forms on a college campus: intimidation, hazing, and even cyber-bullying. While the methods differ slightly, the results are all the same. Studies show that as victims of bullying get older, their self-esteem is less likely to bounce back after an encounter with a bully. When this occurs, it sometimes has a devastating result: suicide.

In light of the recent suicides as a result of LGBT bullying we, as a college community, are becoming aware of what can happen if action is not taken. Recently, the IU South Bend Campus Ally Network (CAN) organized a candlelight vigil in order to remember those who took their own lives due to bullying. The vigil included various members of the IUSB community speaking out against the harmful effects of taunting and harassment.

In IUSB's attempt to educate unaware students and faculty, the movie "Bullied" will be shown in the Community Building at River Crossing Apartments on November 11 at 8:30 pm. Immediately following this, a discussion on how to prevent bullying will be led by Marsha Heck from the School of Education.

With this in mind, it is easier to realize how bullying can effect anyone—it could be someone you know, someone you love, or it could even be you.

While bullying has existed for centuries, the effects of it seem to be coming into play now more than ever. It seems as if we can't turn on the television without hearing a sad story about the harmful consequences of it, and some are seeing it as a plan to take action.

There have been many attempts across the country to stop bullying, however it always finds a way to manifest itself. It is only through learning and understanding why bullying happens that we are able to do anything about it. It helps to understand why a bully chooses to harass others. According to statecollege.com, most bullies act out because they feel the need to be powerful. The typical "power bully" belittles others in order to feel better—they feed on their own insecurity to cut down the confidence of their victims.

While it might not be in the near future, the cessation of bullying can happen with everyone's effort. There are support groups everywhere, and you can do your part to help. Realizing the importance of bullying is the only way we can put it to an end.