Bullying

BEAT THE BULLY!

SPEAK OUT!

DON’T HOLD BACK!

The Nature of Bullying

There are many definitions of bullying, but most consider it to be:

> Deliberately hurtful (including aggression)
> Repeated often over a period of time
> Difficult for victims to defend themselves against

Bullying can take many forms, but three main types are:

> Physical – hitting, kicking, taking belongings
> Verbal – name calling, insulting, make offensive remarks
> Indirect – spreading nasty stories about someone, exclusion from social groups, being made the subject of malicious rumours


Also it's important to be aware that bullying does not only take place in schools, it also happens in work and home environments

Who is Involved in Bullying – and Where?

Although bullying can occur during the journey to or from school, e.g. extortion or theft of possessions such as mobile phones, most typically it takes place in school. It is more likely where adult surveillance is intermittent. In primary schools, up to three-quarters of bullying takes place in the playground. In secondary schools, it is also likely outdoors, but classrooms, corridors and toilets are other common sites.

Both boys and girls bully others. Usually, boys are bullied by boys but girls are bullied by girls and boys. The most common perpetrators are individual boys or groups of several boys. Children who bully others can come from any kind of family, regardless of social class or cultural background.

Usually one pupil starts bullying a victim. There are often other pupils present. These may:

> Help the bully by joining in
> Help bully by watching, laughing and shouting encouragement
> Remain resolutely uninvolved
> Help the victim directly, tell the bullies to stop, or fetch an adult

Broken Glasses



The Risks of Bullying to the Victims

Victims may be reluctant to attend school and are often absent. They may be more anxious and insecure than others, having fewer friends and often feeling unhappy and lonely. Victims can suffer from low self-esteem and negative self-image, looking upon themselves as failures – feeling stupid, ashamed and unattractive.

Victims may present a variety of symptoms to health professionals, including fits, faints, vomiting, limb pains, paralysis, hyperventilation, visual symptoms, headaches, stomach aches, bed wetting, sleeping difficulties and sadness. Being bullied may lead to depression or in the most serious cases, attempted suicide. It may lead to anxiety, depression, loneliness and lack of trust in adult life.


ACTION POINTS

> If your being bullied, try to stay calm and look as confident as you

can.
> Be firm and clear and look them in the eye. Tell them to stop
> Get away from the situation as quickly as possible
> Tell somebody what is happening straight away
> After you’ve been bullied, tell an adult or teacher if in school,

or a friend if in work
> Tell your family - but be truthful in what you say
> If your scared to tell somebody by yourself, ask a friend to come

with you
> Keep speaking until someone listens, and do something to stop

the bullying
> Don’t blame yourself for what is happening