What is bullying?
If somebody physically hurts you, or verbally abuses you, that’s bullying.
Specific types of bullying include:
- Homophobic bullying based on your sexual orientation
- Racist bullying because of your skin colour
- Religious bullying because of your beliefs or faith.
- Sizeist bullying referring to your body size
- Sexist bullying focusing on you being of the opposite sex
- Cyberbullying targeting you online, often anonymously
- Bullying because you are different
Bullying can be a one-off or it can go on for a long time. And bullying can happen to anyone.
Is someone you know being bullied?
People who experience bullying might be scared to talk about it, or they might feel ashamed about being bullied. This could lead them to try to hide what is going on. Here are some things that you can do if you think someone is being bullied:
- Talk to that person. Try to remember that the person you are talking with could be very sensitive about the situation and could be scared to talk about it.
- Let that person know you care. Help boost this person’s self-confidence.
- Include the person into your group. Making a special effort to include the person into your group could help raise the person’s confidence.
- Stick up for him or her. If you see someone is being bullied, it might be helpful to say something. You might need to address the situation with a group of friends, so that you feel safe to confront the bully.
- Speak to someone. Talk to a teacher or another adult even if the person being bullied does not want you to. If possible have the person go with you.
Hollis Academy
Anti-Bullying Guidelines
September 2020
Useful Weblinks
http://www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/child-abuse-and-neglect/bullying-and-cyberbullying/
https://www.childline.org.uk/Explore/Bullying/Pages/Bullyinginfo.aspx