What is Happy Slapping?

Definition and Fusion of Physical and Digital Harassment

Happy slapping (literally "happy slapping" or "funny slapping") is an extremely violent form of bullying that fuses real-world physical aggression with the humiliation of cyberbullying.

It is defined as the act of physically assaulting a victim (usually by slapping, kicking or pushing), while one or more accomplices record the assault with their cell phones.

As in cyberbaiting, the objective is not only the aggression itself, but its recording and subsequent dissemination on social networks and messaging groups.

The aim is to turn the aggression into a "spectacle" of entertainment, seeking virality, social status through violence and public and permanent humiliation of the victim.

The victim not only suffers the physical pain, but also the trauma of having his aggression seen by hundreds of people.

The Roles of the Aggressor, the Recorder and the Audience

Happy slapping is an inherently group act involving defined roles:

The Physical Aggressor: is the one who executes the violence. His motivation is the demonstration of power and physical dominance. He is often incited by the presence of the camera.

The Recorder: He is an essential accomplice. His role is to document the act, often choosing the best angles, laughing or encouraging the aggressor. Without the recorder, the act loses its broadcasting purpose.

The Audience (Digital and Physical): The onlookers who laugh or do not intervene validate the aggression.

The subsequent digital audience (those who watch, comment and share the video) multiplies the humiliation of the victim and reinforces the status of the aggressor.

The victim is usually chosen for his or her vulnerability; they are often surprise attacks against weaker peers or even strangers on the public road, which adds a component of randomness and terror.

Legal and Psychological Consequences

The psychological consequences for the victim are twofold: to the physical trauma of the assault is added the psychological trauma of public humiliation and re-victimization.

Each time the video is shared or viewed, the victim relives the aggression. This generates post-traumatic stress, social phobia, severe anxiety and depression. Legally, happy slapping is a multiple and very serious crime.

Those involved not only answer for a crime of injury (the physical aggressor), but all participants, including those who record and broadcast, can be charged with crimes against moral integri