Power ImbalanceThe third criterion of a power imbalance favoring the perpetrator(s) is quite important and alsoclosely associated with the general issue of who is to define when bullying has occurred or occurs.In my view, the ultimate “power of definition” must reside with the targeted student—at least as abasic point of departure. Given the sometimes complex and subtle behaviors involved in bullyingand maybe a particular historical personal background for the behavior, it is often very difficultfor a “reasonable outside” person (cf. Smith et al. 2012) to assess the situation correctly. At thesame time, it is clear that a closer investigation of the situation may sometimes reveal that thingsare more complex than they appear on the surface and that perspectives from the outside may bevery helpful in finding solutions to the problematic situation. In this context, however, one must also be aware of the tendency of some schools (as potential judges) to portray, when confronted,even obviously abusive situations as “regular peer conflicts” between equals as a way of escapingresponsibility.What this implies is that we are here dealing with a power imbalance as perceived by thetargeted youth. The perceived imbalance is likely to be associated with such objective factors asphysical strength or difference in numbers but may also relate to differences in self-confidence,popularity/status in the peer group, and the like. One important aspect here is very likely thetargeted student’s perception of how difficult it would be for him/her to defend him/herself ina reasonable way and maybe with some success. Another aspect is of course how the studentperceives the motives behind the behavior s/he is exposed to, whether or not it is perceived asaiming to hurt and create problems for him/her.