Everybody is aware of bullying in the schoolyard and the efforts currently being made to control it. Not so evident, however, is the fact that bullying is also very much widespread in the older population.
Bullying among adults comes in many forms and guises. It can be verbal, physical or psychological. Added to this we have these days become aware of the horrendous effects of cyber-bullying where reputations can be destroyed by individuals who are complete strangers.
Perhaps the most common form of adult bullying occurs in the home and results in what has been referred to as domestic violence. It is only recently that the real magnitude of this problem has become appreciated. Much work has been done to identify the factors that turn a happy couple into potential criminals, but in the meantime tragedies resulting from domestic violence continue to increase in frequency.
Less obvious is bullying that occurs at the workplace. This is much more difficult to document because of the entrenched nature of the power relationships at the workplace, combined within reluctance on the part of the victims to expose themselves to ridicule or further victimisation.
All victims of bullying are likely to suffer from stress
It is probably safe to say that in any profession where there is a strong hierarchical structure there will budding of bullies within the higher orders to the detriment of the those in the lower rungs of the ladder.
And no profession is exempt from the risk of fostering bullies. It involves not only blue-collar workers, but also bullying at the highest levels of society, whether it is politics, the legal or medical profession, or any other institution where there is a chain of responsibility and command involving unequal distribution of power.
Bullying in the medical profession is not uncommon, but rarely reaches public notice. Currently, for instance, a cause celebre relates to the efforts by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons to seek and weed out bullies within its ranks. It is conducting an anonymous survey asking medical staff to share their experiences of bullying, following reports by trainee doctors of bullying and demands for sexual favours.
Monash Medical Centre, one of the most respected in Melbourne, is currently investigating the activities of another well-known specialist reported for indulging in bullying tactics with students, nurses and other workers.
It has always been like so: I distinctly remember, decades ago when I was a student, one professor who was renowned for indulging in bullying tactics to the detriment of students. One hears comments that also in recent years, sexual favours have been sought to ensure success in exams. While these stories involve only a very small minority of people within any profession, it is absolutely crucial to ensure that the individuals involved are identified and weeded out.
Why is it so difficult to identify such malcreants? Firstly, they are usually well-respected individuals holding positions of power. Secondly, they are often otherwise very affable, even likeable people who could not possibly be considered capable of behaving otherwise that respectably.
Thirdly, the victim is usually much lower down in the scale and often powerless to react effectively. Often they depend on their seniors for the future which, within a tight-knit profession, would be irrevocably jeopardised. It would not be much a problem if such behaviour merely resulted in the shedding of tears in the privacy of one’s home, but bullying can have disastrous and long-standing effects.
All victims of bullying are likely to suffer from stress, with all its sequelae, including particularly physical symptoms like chronic headaches, inability to cope at home or at work, increased number of ‘sick days’ and episodes of depression.
Research has shown that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects up to 77 per cent of victims. Other conditions include panic attacks, chronic tension, stomach pains, sleep disruption and insomnia, mood swings, and loss of concentration.
Stress can also lead to exacerbation of underlying disorders, including migraine attacks, irritable bowel disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome as well as sexual dysfunction. Such symptoms are likely to continue for years, even after the initial episodes of bullying had stopped, or the individual concerned had moved elsewhere to avoid the bullying. Of highest concern is the well established association of bullying with increased rate of suicide.
The Protection of the Whistleblower Act, 2013, ensures that employees in both private and public sectors may disclose information relating to bullying practices without fear of recriminations. Specific officers have been appointed in every government ministry, including the Cabinet Office, to ensure that such reports are dealt with confidentially and effectively.
It is hoped that with such reporting, victims of bullying will be more likely to report noxious practices at the workplace, and hopefully there will be a greater incentive to ensure that bullying practices are dealt with effectively and eliminated.