Why Me?

There are many reasons how and why bullies target others, and the reasons are
consistent between cases. There are many myths and stereotypes such as "victims are weak" which can be deconstructed.

Bullying often repeats because the reasons that bullies target their victims don't change, hence this section also answers the questions "Why do I keep getting bullied" and "Why do bullies continue to bully me?".

How do bullies select their targets?

The bully selects their target using the following criteria:

• bullies are predatory and opportunistic - you just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time; this is always the main reason - investigation will reveal a string of predecessors, and you will have a string of successors
• being good at your job, often excelling
  
• being popular with people and being victim focused more than anything else, the bully fears exposure of his/her inadequacy and
  incompetence; your presence, popularity and competence unknowingly and unwittingly fuel that fear
• being the expert and the person to whom others come for advice, either personal or professional (ie you get more attention than the bully)
• having a well-defined set of values which you are unwilling to compromise
• having a strong sense of integrity (bullies despise integrity, for they have none, and seem compelled to destroy anyone who has integrity)
• having at least one vulnerability that can be exploited
• refusing to join an established clique
• showing independence of thought or deep Jealousy (of relationships and perceived exclusion therefrom) and envy (of talents,
  abilities, circumstances or possessions) are strong motivators of bullying.