Bullying and mobbing: two sides of the same coin

Let's say we go to a bar and someone there doesn't treat us as we deserve.

We have two exits. On the one hand, we can confront that person, or we can ignore them and leave the premises. At the end of the day, would it be worth confronting someone over any trifle when it is easier never to return for that bar?

Now, what happens at work or at school? It is not so easy to change schools or jobs, at least in the short term. If someone treats us the wrong way, we have no choice but to meet that person again the next day.. We will almost certainly go through the same thing over and over again until we take action on the matter.

This is one of the most pernicious effects of bullying at school and at work. The victim feels cornered, as if she has no escape, since everything happens in a place where you have to concur with the perpetrator.

• Related article: "Mobbing: psychological harassment at work"

Similarities between bullying and workplace bullying

The bully of children at school and the bully of adults at work have common traits

. Both exercise violence in the same way and for very similar reasons. They are deliberate and continuous behaviors of abuse, and consist of harassing the victim to corner her.

In general, the acts carried out are extremely cruel. It is always exercised from the strong to the weak in bullying, and from the boss to the subordinate in mobbing. In other words, it carries a marked character of power.

The person who is the object of these attacks ends up feeling cornered when others join against them. It isolates itself until it excludes itself from the rest. To such an extent the victim is affected by this situation of grief that leads, in extreme cases, not only to social death, but also to physical death.

Individuals who suffer from these realities sometimes come to think that they have no other escape from the situation they suffer. For this reason they opt for this drastic solution, but for them liberating. In any case, the normal thing is that the minor ends up changing the educational center, and the adult of employment.

How are bullying and mobbing different?

If bullying generally involves certain physical violence, harassment in the workplace is presented in a very sibylline way. It is usually a harassment more of a psychological nature. In other words, while child bullying leaves a trail, that experienced by adults at work is much more difficult to identify.

On the other hand, there is greater awareness in the case of children. A large part of the institutes and schools have been developing protocols to support victims, in such a way that that children themselves can sound the alarm when they detect such behaviors against others students.

On the contrary, an employee may feel more alone in the face of mobbing, since he does not know or have anyone on hand to protect him. Therefore, the feeling of being cornered is usually stronger.

As for children or adolescents, bullying can leave consequences for the rest of their lives. As they grow up, they could develop antisocial behaviors of self-exclusion or even lead to violent attitudes. That is why it is imperative to treat a bullying victim with professional help, even after the threats have disappeared.

An adult, on the other hand, recovers more easily from the trauma suffered, especially if it has not extended much over time. If you have been a victim, and you feel that the aftermath still lingers, contact a professional.

• You may be interested in: "The 11 types of violence (and the different types of aggression)"

Why are cases increasing?

First, bullying, both at school and at work, has been deliberately hidden by companies and educational institutions that have falsified the data about actual harassment. As a result, fatal events have occurred that have served to open our eyes to this heartbreaking reality.

Now more accurate studies are beginning to be carried out by independent professionals that show the real figures of harassment in the two areas that concern us.

On the other hand, the denial of the facts has only caused the events to increase, since the perpetrator has been feeling unpunished for his actions.

One of the most chilling data is that during times of economic crisis both mobbing and bullying tend to increase. Apart from this, the increased awareness has resulted in the stalker carrying out his misdeeds more subtly and with less intensity. For example, denying the greeting, putting aside or isolating the victim, among other things. These attitudes are increasingly difficult to detect, but its effects are not less devastating for that reason.

Another negative effect of increased awareness is what is called bottom-up bullying. For example, the student who claims to feel harassed by a teacher and runs a smear campaign without any proof. Or also, when a group of collaborators conspires against a company manager accusing him of any act that destroys his reputation.

Trivialization is an extremely worrying fact, because it always ends up benefiting the real stalker. That is why it is advised that there is an expert capable of evaluating the cases with reliable and concrete facts, not only through public complaint.

How is the matter resolved?

On the one hand, rapid detection and the existence of a protocol are two of the most effective tools to nip this problem in the bud. In the same way, the negative consequence for the perpetrator in such an act can prevent more victims from appearing. The lack of impunity is the best deterrent for all those would-be stalkers who want to roam freely.

Regarding the cases that have not been detected in time, our recommendation is have the victim seek professional help. As much as you feel guilty, you must take the step to therapy to compose yourself after such a hostile event.