Background notes

Kay's aggressive behaviour can be classed as bullying. However, the problems do not affect only victims. Bullies are six times more likely to have a criminal record by the age of 24. A recent British study of teenagers reported the following facts:

• More than half of male bullies have been threatened themselves
• A quarter of the girls said they had been threatened with physical violence at school
• 82% of males have witnessed acts of racism
• 93% of males have been called names
• 50% of girl bullies said they had been victimised by a group
• 50% of girls have been pushed or punched
• Girl bullies were more than three times as likely as non-bullies to have tried drugs. looking for 'a release from tension and depression'
• Boys who were bullies were twice as likely as non-bullies to have been in trouble with the police already
• The undercurrent of violence at home is never far from the surface
• Over half the bullied boys reported that they had experienced adults making violent threats
• 42% said they had experienced violence from an adult
• 35% said they'd been beaten
• 31% of bullied girls reported an adult using violence against them

Children who are have experienced violent behaviour toward them domestically are more likely to say they are prepared to use violence to get something they want – the lessons of power have been learned young. Harsh or negative parenting with high levels of conflict tends to be reported by bullies and over-protective or neglectful parenting often reported by victims. The analysis of causes of stress and coping strategies, reveals the struggles so many youngsters are experiencing.

A survey earlier this year, by the charity 4Children, found that up to a million 11 to 16 year olds spend evenings or weekends hanging out on the streets, parks or other public spaces. The perceived connection between bored youth and anti-social behaviour has led to the much-publicised introduction of 9pm curfews for under-16s. Research by the human rights organisation Liberty found that at least 34 of the 43 police forces in England and Wales had authorised curfew zones over the summer holidays. One of the problems faced by local councils is that youth clubs do not hold the same allure for 15 year olds as they do for 12 year olds.

ASBOs
An Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) is a civil order that protects the community from behaviour that causes harassment, alarm or distress. ASBOs were introduced in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and have been available since April 1999. They impose restrictions on the behaviour of individuals who have behaved in an anti-social way and protect communities from longstanding and intimidating activity. As they are civil orders, a person who receives an ASBO does not have a criminal record. 45% of all ASBOs issued have been to juveniles.