This booklet (left) on bullying was developed by young people at Allandale Youth Centre. You can read it online.

 

What is Bullying?

Bullying can involve name-calling, physical attacks, being ignored or left out, having your possessions messed with, being ridiculed and other forms of harassment. People get bullied in different places:

• At school
• On buses or on the way to school
• At work
• At youth clubs or groups
• Online, or by phonecalls or texts

No-one has the right to hurt another person. But bullying is a common problem. Most people have to deal with it at some point in their life.

Crucial: Bullied and not sure how to cope? Call Childline on 0800 1111 at any time.

What to do if you're being bullied

If you are being bullied here's what to do:

• Know that the bullying is not your fault. The bully needs to change, not you.
• Tell an adult you trust. If they do nothing tell someone else. Keep telling until someone pays attention.
• It's right to ask an adult for help but you don't have to let them take over. Talk with them about what you want to happen.
• Tell your friends and ask for their help.
• Keep a diary of what the bullies do or say and how it makes you feel.
• Don't exaggerate or lie. If you're caught out you could lose all credibility.
• Try to stay in safe areas with other people around.
• Don't fight back unless you absolutely have to
• Get further help by looking at what's worked for other people on websites or by calling a helpline.

Bullying situations are individual and complicated. You may need to try several solutions before you discover one that works. The important thing is to stay hopeful and to keep trying to sort out the problem.

Related topics: All about friends, Being bullied?

Bullying and the law

Sometimes a bullying incident may be reported to the police. This might happen:

• If the bullying is very severe
• If you are injured as a result of being bullied
• If the people trying to stop the bullying think it will help

Related topics: In trouble with the police, staying safe online

Phone/text/online bullying

Threatening and abusive text messages or emails are a new form of bullying. To deal with it follow the general advice above and also use these tactics:

• Report what is happening to your phone/ISP company.
• Keep messages as evidence for the report to your phone/ISP company (but don't re-read them).
• Don't phone, text, or message back, if they don't get a response bullies often get bored and leave you alone.
• Don't give your phone number or email address to people you barely know.

Key links: Laugh and you're part of it, Cybermentors

More websites which help young people being bullied

• www.childline.org.uk - the number to ring when you desperately need help, plus information, advice and more
• www.beatbullying.org - lots of information, videos and online mentors to help you beat your bullying problem
• www.bbclic.com - Beat Bullying for younger young people