Home > Teenage Troubles > Your Questions About Happy Slapping

Your Questions About Happy Slapping

By: Beth Morrisey MLIS - Updated: 15 Sep 2010 | comments*Discuss
 
Happy Slapping happy Slap happy

Imagine that you are waiting for your bus and you're punched by a total stranger. Imagine trying to withdraw your allowance from an ATM machine and being slapped while your money is stolen. Imagine being surrounded at school and beaten until you hit the ground. Welcome to the anything-but-happy world of happy slapping.

What Is Happy Slapping?

"Happy slapping" is the name given to an unprovoked attack on an unsuspecting victim. Often the attackers will make the assault "light" - such as a single hit, slap or kick - and attempt to make it all seem like a joke, hence the "happy" moniker. Usually these attacks are filmed or otherwise recorded (often using mobile phone technology), and frequently are later posted on the Internet.

Who Engages in Happy Slapping?

Happy slapping has spread like wildfire across the UK. It is widely accepted that this craze began with the garage music scene before being picked up by "chav" culture and finally making its way to local communities and even schools. Today, almost anyone of any age could perpetrate "happy slapping" in any location, though assaults are most often carried out by teenagers.

Why Do People Happy Slap?

There is no good reason to happy slap, but several "happy slappers" have explained that they thought it would be funny or they were bored at the time. Bullying organisations speculate that happy slappers expect to gain notoriety through what they view as silly antics, as their actions would be passed from mobile phone to mobile phone or even put up on the Internet. None of these reasons justify a happy slapping attack, and authorities do not believe they excuse these assaults either.

How Serious is Happy Slapping?

Happy slapping is a despicable phenomenon that is clearly not just a joke. Vicious assaults have occurred across the UK which resulted in setting human beings on fire, sexual assault, rape and even death. Happy slapping can be prosecuted in court, and the police, government officials and school administrators all consider happy slapping to be assault and punish it accordingly.

What are the Consequences of Happy Slapping?

Happy slapping has already resulted in a variety of consequences. Several victims of happy slapping have either lost their lives or had their lives irrevocably altered by the assaults, while those that "happy slap" others can be brought up on charges of assault and later harassment if they upload their videos to the Internet.

The general public also suffers from this phenomenon as police are sometimes repositioned to areas in which happy slapping occurs, schools ban mobile phones in order to cut down on the craze and business and local authorities put up or redirect CCTV cameras which can even result in passing along extra costs to consumers.

Happy slapping, unfortunately, seems to have caught on among young people across the UK. If you are the victim or witness of a happy slapping assault, remember that the most important thing you can do is report the attackers to the police.

With a little luck, more reports and further punishments, hopefully happy slapping will die out soon.

You might also like...
Share Your Story, Join the Discussion or Seek Advice..
Why not be the first to leave a comment for discussion, ask for advice or share your story...

If you'd like to ask a question one of our experts (workload permitting) or a helpful reader hopefully can help you... We also love comments and interesting stories

Title:
(never shown)
Firstname:
(never shown)
Surname:
(never shown)
Email:
(never shown)
Nickname:
(shown)
Comment:
Validate:
Enter word:
Topics
Latest Comments
  • mari
    Re: Coping With Strict Parents
    My mom , she always have rules in my life . I am 17 and this year gonna be 18 . My mom all the time taking my phone, checking my…
    18 March 2024
  • help
    Re: Coping With Strict Parents
    I'm already 17 and I'm in love with an 18yo girl with acute depression. But when my parents found out, they want me to stop my…
    6 February 2024
  • help
    Re: Coping With Strict Parents
    I'm already 17 and I'm in love to an 18yo girl with acute depression. When my parents found out, they are forcing me to stop all my…
    6 February 2024
  • Ariana Grande
    Re: Coping with a Jealous Friend
    The friends i keep are mostly male friends, because guys don't easily get jealous. My female friends always envy my life; for…
    27 January 2024
  • shallot
    Re: Coping With Strict Parents
    Yo guys, Im 10 and I just had an argument with my mom, now she won’t help me with my drawing homework and my other writing…
    17 January 2024
  • Emre
    Re: Beauty Tips for Boys
    .
    9 January 2024
  • Leana
    Re: Coping With Strict Parents
    So basically im 17 years old when i was 13 years i used to talk with a male who is 22 years! Because of my daddy issues ive gotten…
    15 December 2023
  • THANK YOU
    Re: Beauty Tips for Boys
    WOW THIS IS GREAT! IT IS VERY HELPFUL!
    6 December 2023
  • was
    Re: Steroids
    where i can buy
    28 November 2023
  • Rhirhi
    Re: Coping With Strict Parents
    I'm a 20 year old , my parents are so strict . I stay at home 24/7 , the only time I get to leave the house is when I'm going to…
    26 November 2023