Bullying: how to prevent the event...?
‘Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words will never hurt you’ We all know that this is not true, and
bullying can have a huge effect on us. It happens everywhere, and, according to Childline, half of us experience being bullied at some point during our school lives. Bullying is repeated deliberate harassment done in a way that makes it difficult for the person being bullied to
defend him/herself. Remember, it is the
behaviour of the person who is doing the bullying that is wrong NOT the victim.
Verbal bullying
- Teasing
- Name calling
- Sarcasm
- Ignoring someone on a long term basis.
- Sexism, racism, homophobia.
Physical bullying
- Taking your money or possessions.
- Pushing, hitting, kicking and punching.
Indirect / emotional bullying
- Spreading untrue rumours or gossip about you
- Getting you into trouble for no real reason
- Excluding you.
- Sending you hurtful messages via text or email, including ‘happy slapping’.
what to do if you are being bullied...
To prevent the event
- If you meet bullies regularly on your journey to or from school vary the time you leave home so you may miss them.
- Try to travel home with friends.
- On public transport sit near the driver
- Make sure you have some good true friends to hang out with
- Try to stay in a safe place during breaks, bullies do not like witnesses.
- Be careful who you give your mobile phone number to.
At the time
- Stand upright and boldly so you send out messages of confidence. You may not feel confident but you will look it.
- Be firm and clear! Look the bully in the eye and tell them to stop.
- Simply say ‘yeah...whatever…’so that you show them it isn’t having the effect of upsetting you.
- Don’t retaliate and play their game, you may read more
