One of the most disturbing things I hear when researching bullying and harassment is when people tell me they know nothing about it.
Sometimes, only sometimes, they tell me they’ve heard about it but they’ve never seen it. Then they cut the conversation short and change the subject.
More often though, I get random messages from people, talking in code, about how they are feeling. I recognise the targets. I recognise the suffering.
Tactic 9.67 of my book discusses ‘Silencing’. I only touch on it briefly because I had another 75 tactics to discuss as well as the psychology behind the bullying strategy used as a control method by toxic people, so I couldn’t get into as much detail as I wanted to. Tactic 9.31 discusses ‘Underreporting’ which aides and abets the whole image that bullying is isolated, only in the workplace, or isn’t really a big problem.
Bullying is used by toxic people to establish and maintain control. The actions and behaviours are indicative of a nefarious pattern of a destructive, self-serving strategy to gain advantage by destroying others.
There are no laws against bullying, psychological manipulation, or psychological control. ‘Leaders’ are exempt from adhering to anti-bullying policy because it is ‘reasonable management action’ and they are untouchable.
Toxic people create toxic systems and systemic change requires dismantling toxic systems.
Bullying happens to many people. So, so many people. Suffering. Silently. Unheard. Unbelieved. All the time. Everywhere. The system fails to protect those that speak up and perpetuates the toxic system of silencing.
Bullying causes significant health and wellbeing ramifications.
Bullying is the cancer of our society.
Author
Susan Broomhall is a social scientist with a major in psychology and over 30 years practical in-field experience applying behavioural analysis and research to real world issues. With a passion for positive social impact she uses a unique, multidisciplinary approach to understanding human behaviour and society to improve lives and prevent harm. Susan works towards empowering people to be safe and well by raising understanding of issues and inspiring critical thinking to encourage people to design solutions that work for them and their community. She hopes to be part of the co-creation of a harmonious and peaceful society where love, caring and happiness are the valued commodities.
Susan Broomhall is the author of Bullying & Harassment – Understanding the Psychological and Behavioural Tactics of the Toxic Leadership Stronghold.