Madden, I don't have a good 'inner gauge' to see when bullying starts so I use the definition of other resources including what local laws say is abuse / bullying. I use these kind of official things to 'draw the line' so I know what action I can take to stop bullying.

I personally consider harassment a type of bullying and I do not tolerate it. The way I do not tolerate it is, like I referenced above, I call the local sheriff or police and report it. Documenting incidents you believe are harassment is also helpful so you can compare the other person's action to the legal statute or definition of bullying.

Here's a good resource I use. **Warning -- Link to article below discusses verbal abuse and other types of abuse. May be triggering**

http://www.healthyplace.com/abuse/verbal-abuse/what-is-verbal-abuse/

I actually think there is no difference in the two words. They both isolate, terrify, abuse. all the trier words. I don't know if I belong on this board or if this is not an adult board? I go to two other DS boards for years now. This post got me . This past year has been so bad for me I have not been able to live in my apartment for 7 months now. I pay rent I report i even have things on tape and txt and nothing.

laws in NYS need to catch up. I called victims assistance on Friday finally and the lady told me if i felt threatened i could call the cops but they cant do anything unless these people physically hurt me ......then at that point IF the officer chose to arrest them I could maybe get a restraining order in criminal court but because i do not have a personal relationship with these people it can't be dealt with in family court.........after all dear it is just words and rumors those can't really hurt you just suck it up. ...............she had no clue what these people have done over the year from steeling stuff off my door to telling me someone was stalking me to reporting me to the office for stuff on days thank god the office knew i was not there on to to to ..jumping out and walking 2 inches behind me on the stairs knowing i have a shaking issue and could fall. January renovations to the property will move them! i still want a protective order.............see wording really does not matter when it all blurs together. not really the only word that matter is .. prosecution. especially if were going to be tormented just for existing we should have the right to have just ice. as with any crime.

I agree with KatLin: I feel that all bullying is harassment as well. Bullies will harass you, and try to make you feel as if you're inferior to them, and that something is wrong with you.

I'm slowly learning that there is no reason that I deserve to be bullied.

GL on your journey.

I wholeheartedly agree with you Raylen: nobody deserves bullying treatment, no matter who they are or where they came from.

bullying is the same.