The Bullying Circle

People play a variety of roles that are taken in bullying situations:

1. The child who initiated the bullying;
2. Followers or henchmen, who take place in the bullying, but do not initiate it;
3. Supporters, who openly support the bullying (e.g., laugh) but do not take an active role;
4. Passive supporters, those who enjoy the bullying but do not take an active role;
5. Disengaged onlookers, who neither get involved nor feel responsible for stepping in to stop the bullying;
6. Possible defenders, who dislike the bullying and think they should do something to help, but do not;
7. Defenders, who dislike the bullying and try to help those who are bullied; and
8. Those who are bullied.