Reasons to solutions

Addressing the causes of bullying is difficult as it requires the behaviour to be first identified. Chinese people don't share the same view of society we have in the west. You won't hear someone being challenged by a stranger about dropping litter, or spitting, nor complaining about the neighbours BBQ smoke because, as I've heard said, "they have no relationship with them." Equally, China is a society where people are less forward about discussing their problems with strangers. Consequently, the victim is reluctant to come forward with the problem and bystanders are less likely to intervene.

Some research suggests that many of the perpetrators are part of the "left behind generation". Children who barely see their parents because they are working far from home in China's factory boomtowns. Or have been sent away to school – so called parachute kids.

In response to the online pressure, the Chinese government launched an anti-bullying campaign for schools last May. The approach was to put requirements on Education departments and schools to create policies and procedures along similar lines to the legal obligations in the west.

However, the campaign only lasted until the end of 2016. It takes many years of continuous effort to change the beliefs and attitudes that prevent us from recognising and addressing bullying. If contemporary stories are a barometer of current attitudes then this year's Hollywood movie "Hacksaw ridge" shows there is still progress to be made. The "funny" name calling, routine ridiculing and belittling of army cadets illustrated the archaic notion that it was a necessary part of the toughening up required. We should have been appalled instead of amused.

So long as bystanders do nothing, in the belief that it's harmless, or character building, or think that we have no relationship to those involved then bullying will continue. It starts in playgrounds, but such habits persist into the workplace and into relationships. We stop it by taking the issue seriously, by recognising the signs, by reporting and openly disapproving of the behaviour; especially when we're not the target of the bully.