| Bullying is
WRONG Nobody has the right to hurt other people by
hitting them, kicking them, calling them names, spreading rumours about them or by doing
anything else which is intended to be upsetting
Bullies try to justify their actions by saying that it is their victim's fault for
being different. They may pick on someone who is tall or small, or fat or thin, or wears
glasses, or has a different accent, or another religion, or is shy or clever, or good
looking, or disabled or . . . Any excuse will do, and if there is no real difference then
the bullies will invent one.
If this is happening to
you tell yourself that it is not your fault, and that it is the bullies who need to
change, not you.
What To Do
Talk to someone you can trust, a teacher, parent, older friend or relative.
Be persistent. If the first person you talk to ignores you don't give up, speak to
someone else.
If you can, write down everything the bullies have done or have said to you, and try to
write down how you feel. When you have found someone you can trust and who is helpful,
discuss what you have written with that person. Be very careful to only write down things
which really happen.
If you find it difficult to talk to an adult, ask one of your friends to come with you,
or ask someone to talk to an adult on your behalf.
You could telephone Childline (Freephone 0800 1111). Their helpers provide a 24 hour,
confidential counselling service for young people in trouble or danger.
Most importantly, do something. Sometimes bullying stops quickly but doing nothing means
it may continue until someone is seriously upset or hurt. That could be you, or the
bullies may find new victims. If their behaviour is not challenged they are unlikely to
stop.
What Not To Do
Don't try to deal with the problem on your own - there is nothing wrong in asking for
help.
Don't hit the bullies - you might end up being accused of bullying yourself.
Always tell the truth about what has happened. Don't exaggerate. If a small part of what
you are saying is shown to be untrue then it throws everything else into doubt.
Don't believe the lies that the bullies tell about you.
Don't hide what is happening from the adults you trust. Keeping things secret is the
bullies' biggest weapon against you. That is why they go to so much trouble to try to stop
you telling.
Adult Bullying
Bullying is wrong whatever the age of the
person who is bullying you. Adults can bully children in many different ways. If an adult
is doing something to you, or trying to make you do something you do not like, but you are
not sure if this is bullying, then you must talk to someone.
If this is happening at school you can talk to your parents. If this is happening at
home you could talk to a trusted teacher. Do not keep it a secret. The only way to stop
bullying is to talk openly about it.
Working Together
You do not have to be a victim to act. If you do nothing
when you see someone being bullied the bullies may think that you approve of what they are
doing. Part of the fun that bullies get comes from the reaction of bystanders. You can
help by:
- challenging all bullying behaviour
- befriending younger children
- talking about bullying
or, by taking part in your schools' anti-bullying activities such as:
- acting in plays
- designing posters
- carrying out surveys
The single most important thing a school can do to prevent bullying is
to have a clear policy to which staff, pupils and parents are committed. To help achieve
this The Scottish Office Education Department has sent copies of two anti-bullying packs
to all Scottish schools.
Getting Help
Some education authorities in Scotland have produced
materials or employ people to help schools tackle bullying. Ask your parents or teachers
to contact the Education Office if you want to find out about local developments.
Two organisations operate telephone heiplines for young people in Scotland:
Childline
Freephone 0800 1111
(a 24 hour helpline)
Scottish Law Centre
Freephone 0800 317 500
(Legal advice for under 18s)
In Tayside a local freephone number is available for the sole use of Tayside pupils
Freephone 0800 010 390
Designed and Produced on behalf of The Scottish
Office by The Stationery Office Dd 84O3661 12/97 |
