.jpg){kind=logo}
Exclusion To Cause Distress (ECD)
Forum for Children with Disabilities 2003
White Lodge Centre, ChertseyAct Against Bullying has identified a new form of bullying likely to be responsible for the dramatic rise in suicide attempts by schoolgirls.
Act Against Bullying is now hoping that Exclusion to Cause Distress (ECD) awareness will provide a new approach to local education authorities across the country in addressing the current bullying issue.
Researched by the playwright who founded the Surrey-based charity in September 2002 with the proceeds of her anti-bullying monologues for children, Louise Burfitt-Dons said that the recognition of the psychological damage done by ECD could mean relief for literally thousands of girls affected and a reduction in the number of suicide attempts.
ECD works by making the victim feel unpopular. It involves subtle attacks on her looks and personality. Snubbing, rumours, black looks, turned shoulders were all used by bullies to force girls out of groups and undermine the victim’s self-confidence and ability to perform in class. Animated, bright, popular children are as much at risk as the shy and retiring student.
‘ECD is like a cheap shot which is sure to work. This is because girls in particular have a fundamental need to be liked by their school companions. Tactics that undermine children’s self image are easily exploitable by bullies. Being the victim of an ECD campaign is an unnerving experience and can have very serious consequences.’
The non-verbal nature of this type of bullying means that it is often invisible to class teachers resulting in a Kafka-ish type of situation for the victim. ‘That’s why it needed a definition and a title.’
The insidious nature of ECD is horrifying. Fear of ‘contamination’ is so intense that children avoid even close friends who become victims for fear of being excluded themselves.
‘While this situation continues we are raising generation of unprincipled sycophants and insensitive bullies who prey on girls who don’t conform to group rituals. It is a very unhealthy situation for all individuals involved,’ says the mother of two.