Bullying

Lots of people are bullied at some time in their lives - by brothers and sisters, by neighbours, by adults or by other children.

If you're being bullied, you might feel scared, helpless and very alone but you owe it to yourself to try and sort out the situation so that the bullying stops.

What can I do if I am being bullied?

Your school may already have a way of dealing with bullying. Some schools:

• have anti-bullying guidelines and ways of dealing with it
• encourage anyone who's being bullied, or has seen bullying to tell someone about it
• have 'bully boxes' where people can leave notes about what is happening
• have student meetings or even 'courts' where problems like bullying are discussed and dealt with
• have specially assigned students or teachers who are there to help.

If your school has an anti-bullying system, use it to get help. If you're not sure how it works then talk to a teacher.

Don't just accept that you're a victim of bullying - ask for help.

10 Ways of coping

Remember not all of these will be for you - talk to an adult and report the bully.

• Tell a friend what's happening. Ask them to help you. It'll be harder for the bully to pick on you if you've got a friend with you for support.
• Try to ignore the bullying or say 'No' really firmly, then turn and walk away. Don't worry if people think you're running away. Remember, it's really hard for the bully to go on bullying someone who won't stand still to listen.
• Try not to show that you're upset or angry. Bullies love to get a reaction - it's 'fun'. If you can keep calm and hide your emotions, they might get bored and leave you alone.
• Don't fight back if you can help it. Most bullies are bigger or stronger than you. If you fight back you could make the situation worse, get hurt or be blamed for starting the trouble.
• It's not worth getting hurt to keep possessions or money. If you feel threatened, give the bullies what they want. Material things can be replaced, you can't.
• Try to think up funny or clever replies in advance. Make a joke of it. Replies don't have to be amazingly brilliant or clever but it helps to have an answer ready. Practice saying them in the mirror at home. Using prepared replies works best if the bully isn't too threatening and just needs to be put off. The bully might just decide that you're too clever to pick on!
• Try to avoid being alone in the places where you know the bully is more likely to pick on you. This might mean changing your route to school, avoiding parts of playground, or only using common room or toilets when other people are there. It's not fair that you have to do this, but it might put the bully off.
• Sometimes just by asking the bully to repeat what they've said can put them off. Often bullies aren't brave enough to repeat what they've said so they tone it down.
• Keep a diary of what is happening. Write down what details of what's happening and how you're feeling. Then, when you do decide to tell someone, your diary makes it easier to prove what's been going on.
• Tell an adult. This can be a teacher, your mum or dad or a helpline like www.childline.org.uk or visit need to www.thinkuknow.co.uk.

Who can I tell?