Bullying takes many forms: name-calling, hitting, spreading rumours, stealing, excluding people and turning someone’s friends against them are just a few examples.
Why do bullies do it?
They could be angry about something, having problems at home or school, feeling insecure, unliked or jealous of their targets.
Although it’s hard to feel sorry for bullies, it might help to understand that happy people don’t need to make others feel unhappy or small.
Bullies try to make out it’s their target's fault for being different, but none of us are the same.
Remember, it’s the bullies who have a problem, not the people they target.
How can I make them stop?
It’s important to speak out. You have the right to live without being tormented.
Hitting back at bullies can make things worse and get you into trouble. Even if it helps you, the bully will soon be picking on someone else.
Keep a diary of what happens. It’ll help you decide what to do. It should also stop you missing out anything important and help show you’re telling the truth.
Who should I tell?
Tell as many people as you can. Sometimes just having things out in the open can be enough to make bullies stop.
If it’s at school, any of your teachers should be able to help, and your school should have an anti-bullying policy.
If you can’t tell your teachers, ask a parent or another adult to speak to them for you.
Further help and advice
• childline.org.uk or call 0800 1111
• Beat bullying on need2know.co.uk
• bullying.co.uk
• kidscape.org.uk
• antibullying.net
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