Abuse
Bullying
Quick links on this page:
- What is bullying?
- How might this affect me?
- How can I help myself?
- Some useful tips to avoid bullying at school
Related page:
Bullying takes place in schools, in the home, in the workplace and within social situations including family networks. Specific individuals or groups of individuals can be targeted.
It therefore not only happens to children and young people but also to adult men and women.
What is bullying?
Bullying occurs only when there is an "imbalance of power." The aggressor or groups of aggressors are more powerful in some way than the person they are targeting. It can involve disrespectful, abusive, insulting, intimidating and offensive behaviour, and unfair and vindictive attacks on individuals.
How might this affect me?
- Psychological effects – Low self-esteem; loss of self-confidence; stress-related illnesses; mental distress; self-harm; and suicide
- Social effects – Feeling alone, isolated and cut off from others; feeling afraid and intimidated in specific situations; upset; angry and feeling vulnerable; absenteeism from school or work
- Physical effects – Stress related illnesses including headaches; stomach problems; skin rashes; sleep disturbance; lethargy.
How can I help myself?
- Do something about it, it won't go away on its own
- Talk to someone you trust
- Keep a record of what is happening to you
- Keep any correspondence such as emails etc.
- Don't give up
- Phone an advice line.
Childline Scotland – www.childline.org.uk
Some useful tips to avoid bullying at school
- Change your route when going to/from school (alternate)
- If you take the bus try to sit at the front near the driver. Never go upstairs
- Try to meet friends on the way to and from school
- Arrive at school slightly earlier
- Leave school slightly later
- Avoid passing places where the bullies hang out
- Try catching the bus at one stop further on or back
- Keep money in a place other than your pockets (socks/shoe/ankle bag)
- Have a teacher collect your dinner money at the start of the week
- Try to sit near the front
- Don't sit at the back in the corner where the teacher can't keep an eye so easily on the class
- If you're hit during class shout OW! really loud, this will bring unwanted attention to the bully
- If you have to leave your table for a moment take your bag/books with you
- If your teacher asks why, simply say that last time it was damaged in class this makes the teacher realise that things do happen in the class
- At break times try to stay central in the playground
- Don't go into a corner or the bike sheds or leave the school grounds
- Try to stay in a group
- If you see a bully coming towards you don't run away, stand your ground, show them that you won't run away, if you do they'll already think that they are winning. They want you to run/be scared
- Say things like "I don't think you are fair" "think about what you are doing" "it's not nice, you wouldn't like it"
- These phrases plant seeds in the mind of the bullies, some will remember what you say because to say things like "I'm telling teacher" or "I'm going to get my brother to beat you up" will only wind the bully up.
If you need help right now, visit the Immediate Help page.
