Bully Bonding May 2026

Bully Bonding: The Paradox of Attachment to an Abuser

Bully bonding is a counter-intuitive psychological phenomenon where a victim forms a deep, emotional attachment to the person who is bullying, abusing, or intimidating them. It is a specific type of trauma bonding that often leaves victims feeling confused, ashamed, and defensive of their abuser.

He didn’t panic at first. He just felt the familiar tightness, the slow betrayal of his own lungs. He tried to walk calmly toward the doors, but a teacher stopped him. “No one goes back inside until the all-clear.” bully bonding

Key definitions

Eliminating Bullying by Making Kindness Cool - Caryn Hacker-Buechel Bully Bonding: The Paradox of Attachment to an

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