Sue, 14, was bullied at a young age just for speaking a different language. Her experience inspired her to help others. Here's her story
Sue's Story
I spent the first few years of my life in Thailand. But when I was little my dad sadly passed away and my mum couldn't look after me. She chose to give me up for adoption.
I know it's hard to believe but I didn't mind because I knew she just wanted the best for me. I was really excited when I first met my adoptive parents - I'd never been to England before and they were really nice to me.
On my ninth birthday I was adopted by my new family and came to England. It was difficult at first because they couldn't speak any Thai and I couldn't speak any English. We had to use sign language to communicate - but we got there in the end.
New life
I liked them a lot because they took me to do fun things like swimming and playing football. But school was a different story.
It was really hard for me to communicate with people and all the girls picked on me because I couldn't speak their language.
Luckily I managed to learn English within months and the bullying died down.
However even as I was grew older I was still bullied a little. Some people would try and make fun of my background and say racist things like "Go back to where you came from". I would just ignore it - which I think is the best thing to do.
Images posed by models. Some names have been changed.
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Helping others
I was so fortunate that I had loads of friends who supported me and could remind me to be the bigger person and ignore it.
“ You can't always tell who's being bullied”
The bullies used all sorts of horrible names on the page. It spread lots of rumours and gave her a really bad reputation even though she hadn't done anything at all. She was really brave and just knew to ignore it and not let it affect her.
All this made me really aware when other people in school were suffering. If I ever saw anyone crying in the corridors I'd always be the first to try and comfort them. I think this is what made my teacher nominate me for the Cyber Mentors programme.
Becoming a mentor
Cyber Mentors is a youth charity for victims of online bullying which gets young people to help and support each other. For me being a Cyber Mentor just means I'm on the website to listen to people. It might not sound like much, but sometimes people don't have anyone else to talk to so I think it really helps them.
I enjoy talking to people and helping them out. Being part of Cyber Mentors made me realise you can't always tell who's being bullied - often people keep it to themselves and talking about it online is their only chance to get support.
One of the most horrible things about being bullied online is that it makes you feel unsafe in your own home. We try and reassure victims that they're not alone and the site has lots of advice to help you beat bullying. I get a lot of satisfaction from being involved and just wish the site had been here sooner.
More information:
Cyber Mentors
Be safe on social networking sites
Are you being bullied?
Are you a bully?
Images posed by models. Some names have been changed.
Pictures posed by models.
Your comments
Claudia, 12
I think you did the right thing and it's good you had friends t help you through it. :) xoxo
Tilly, 14
It is so great that you went through all that and you came out the other end stronger. Now you can be an inspiration, cos even though cyber mentoring is only something small it is a big thing for all the people you are helping. Go you xxxx
Nhung, 14
You're an inspirational person and I think your job is just brill! I wish you the best of luck in the future and whenever I see anyone in the corridors crying, I'll comfort them. =) <3
hannah, 16
my boyfriend and alot of his friends are kurdish, when they came to england they couldnt speak this language either so went threw the same as you. now they can speak english they have lots of friends and im sure you do too now (: its because people are scared of things they dont know, like your language.
Chloe, 15
Well done you! I always try and help people and it's just so rewarding isn't it? The smiles on people's faces when you know you've helped them out is amazing! =) x
