BULLYING
Bullying happens to many people and at any age - at school, at work, by family, 'friends', bosses, teachers etc. Bullying is not always physical; intimidation, humiliation, threats, cruelty, name calling, being left out, harassment, are all forms of bullying. If you are feeling bullied, you probably are being bullied.
No-one 'deserves' to be bullied. There is nothing about you that gives someone the right to make you feel bad about yourself or your life. You do have the right to be treated with respect.
If you are being bullied it can sometimes be very difficult to know what to do and whether to tell someone. But remember, by keeping silent, you are doing what the bully wants and protecting them.
- Talk it over with someone you trust - you may not be ready to tackle
the problem (or to ask someone else to tackle it) but talking it through can help
you decide what you would like to happen. You can talk in confidence to any of
the helplines or organisations mentioned in this section
- Tell your friends and family what you are going through - but make
it clear they should not intervene without your permission
- If you are being bullied at school, talk to someone you trust and
ask what the school policy is on bullying - all schools by law have to have one.
Ask what they are going to do to about it and tell them what you would like to
happen
- At work your employer has a legal duty to look after your welfare
as well as your health and safety. If you are being bullied at work you can talk
to your trade union rep if you are a member, or your manager. If you are being
bullied by your manager, is there another manager or someone higher up you could
talk to?
- If you do not feel your employer/ school is taking the problem seriously, keep a diary of events and what they do or don't do
Racial and sexual harassment are also bullying, but there are separate laws to protect people from these. See here.