• WHEN IS IT CONFLICT AND WHEN IS IT HIB?

     
    There is a difference between a conflict and an incident of harassment, intimidation and bullying (HIB).  The two vary in terms of the balance of power that exists among the parties involved.  They also differ in terms of what motivates the aggressor. 

    Conflict is characterized by a mutually competitive or opposing action or engagement.  HIB is typically one-sided, with the power resting more heavily on the side of the aggressor.  

    Conflict can include any disagreements, arguments and/or fights between two people or two or more groups of people.  Things may escalate in conflict to include physicality or name calling. 

    HIB involves the targeting of one or more students by one or more individuals.  The incident is “motivated by any actual or perceived characteristic such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression or a mental, physical or sensory disability, or by any other distinguishing characteristic."  The motivation behind the action is a key determining factor.  It is the victim’s race, color, religion, etc. that triggers and is the focal point of the interaction.