ABSTRACT
The most common reactive strategies are some form of direct sanctions. These involve a negative outcome for the bullying perpetrator and are sometimes referred to as punitive approaches. The relevant legislation is spread across several Acts: the Public Order Act (1986) for harassing or threatening behaviour, the Children Act (1989) for safeguarding and the Equality Act (2010) for prejudice-based bullying. A reactive strategy is a response to a bullying incident when it happens. Schools have a range of possible strategies to use. The term disciplinary measures implies some kind of direct sanction for the perpetrator of bullying. However these can vary considerably in severity. The school tribunal or bully court makes use of an elected body of pupils. This group will meet after an alleged incident has occurred. A number of teachers and anti-bullying practitioners, reasoning along these lines, prefer less punitive approaches, at least for the less severe incidents of bullying.
