What is Bullying?
Bullying includes specific characteristics and criteria defined in NC Bullying Law § 115C 407.15
4 Key Characteristics of Bullying
- Repetition
- Intentional
- Unprovoked
- Imbalance of Power
DOES THE INCIDENT MEET NC BULLYING CRITERIA?
A pattern (repeated) of ONE or more of the following:
1. Gestures
2. Communications (verbal/written) includes online communications/social media, etc.)
3. Physical Act
4. Threatening Communication
AND
One or more of the following:
1. Damage to Property
2. Places student in actual and reasonable fear of harm to her or her person
3. Creates or is certain to create a hostile environment by substantially interfering with or impairing student's educational performance, opportunities or benefits
(Hostile environment meets both criteria below)
a. Student subjectively views the conduct as bullying or harassing behavior
b. Behavior is objectively severe or pervasive enough that a reasonable person would agree it is bullying or harassing behavior
MOTIVATED by characteristics such as:
Race | Ancestry | Religion | Physical Appearance | Color | National origin | Academic status | Sexual orientation | Gender identity | Socioeconomic status | Mental, physical, developmental, or sensory disability