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Introduction
Research into bullying in schools has received considerable attention among international scholars (Kousholt and Fisker, 2015; Smit and Sherman, 2016; Ansary et al., 2015; Austin et al., 2016; Vahedi et al., 2016). Bullying behaviour occurs when there is intent to harm (the perpetrator finds pleasure in the taunting and continues even when the target’s distress is obvious), there is abuse of power (the abuser maintains power over the target because of age, strength, authority and or gender) and when the target is vulnerable and unsupported (Fried and Sosland, 2011; Ncontsa and Shumba, 2013; Makou and Bourdin, 2017; Nthate, 2017). It is a combination of verbal and physical aggression directed from the agent towards the victim (Ngakane et al., 2012).
The scourge of bullying and violence in South African schools has been a cause of great concern. Numerous reports in newspapers and social media indicate the high levels and severity of such incidents in schools (Makou and Bourdin, 2017; Nthate, 2017). Enshrined in The Bill of Rights (Chapter 2:24a) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa is the provision of a safe environment for all citizens. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa No. 108 of 1996 also states in Section 12(e) that “everyone has the right not to be treated or punished in a cruel, inhuman or degrading way”. Importantly, bullying is in direct contravention of the rights accorded to children in terms of Section 28(d) of the Constitution of South Africa, which states that “every child has a right to be protected from maltreatment, neglect, abuse or degradation”.
Despite these legal provisions, school violence continues to escalate at an alarming rate in a number of schools throughout South Africa, severely compromising the safety and well-being of both learners and teachers (Mestry et al., 2006; Ncontsa and Shumba, 2013). Bullies are wreaking havoc in schools, making the school environment completely unsafe and instilling fear by obstinately pursuing vulnerable victims (Vahedi et al., 2016).
Various studies have been conducted in South Africa to understand the phenomenon of bullying and violence in South African schools. Mncube and Harber (2013) explored the dynamics of violence in South African Schools while Ramorola and Joyce (2014) investigated the links between...