Recognising the signs of children who are being bullied can often be difficult.
Signs of Bullying
Some of the ways in which children and young people have described bullying include:
- being called names
- being teased
- being pushed or pulled around
- having money or personal possessions taken or damaged
- having rumours spread
- being ignored or left out
- being hit, kicked or physically hurt in some way
- being threatened or intimidated.
If you are being bullied?
Here are some things you could do:
- Talk to someone you trust, such as a teacher, parent, volunteer, family or friend.
- Be persistent. If the first person you talk to doesn't help, don't give up. Speak to someone else.
- If you can, write down everything that has been said or done to hurt you. Try to write down how you feel. When you have found someone you can trust, discuss what you have written.
- Ask the person you talk to not to do anything without telling you about it first. You have a right to know what is being done on your behalf and to say whether you think it is a good idea or not. If you find it difficult to talk to an adult, ask one of your friends to come with you, or ask someone to talk to an adult on your behalf.
- Telephone ChildLine (Freephone 0800 1111). Their helpers provide a confidential counselling service for young people in trouble or danger.
- Most importantly, do something. Sometimes bullying stops quickly, but doing nothing means it may continue until someone is seriously upset or hurt. That could be you, or the bullies may find someone else to pick on. If their behaviour is not challenged they are unlikely to stop.