Miss School - Miss Out!

School Attendance Matters - Education Welfare Service

Bullying - together we can stamp it out! - A Guide for Young People

Bullying - What is it?

It can be physical, like being pushed, kicked or hit. It can be verbal, like being called names or threatened. It can be being left out of a group of friends.

Types of Bullying

Bullying may include:

• physical abuse
• kicking, hitting, poking, touching
• pushing
• name calling, mocking, sarcasm
• teasing and taunting
• leaving people out of games
• racial, religious, sexual harassment
• spreading rumours
• taking possessions without permission
• destroying or vandalising other people's property
• making demands, threats
• blackmail
• encouraging others to fight

It may be one of these things or several. Whatever form it takes, you want it to stop.

Together we can stamp bullying out!

What to do if you are being bullied

Ask for help

This is a sensible thing to do, not weak. Who you tell depends on you. You could tell:

• a friend you trust
• your parents
• a relative
• your form teacher
• senior staff in school, or any pastoral staff
• any teacher you feel comfortable with

They will listen and support you with whatever action you decide to take. They may have other ideas for dealing with the bullying. It is usually important that a teacher or an adult becomes involved.

It is important:

• not to bribe the bully with sweets or anything else
• talk to your parents
• talk to a teacher in school
• go back to the adult, if the bullying continues

Together we can stamp bullying out!

How can you help stop bullying?

• if you see someone being bullied - take action
• do not tolerate bullies in your friendship group
• inform an adult if you do not wish to be involved yourself
• Don't watch and do nothing, this may be seen as support for the bully
• the victim needs help from friends
• encourage lonely children to join your group
• do not bully anyone yourself

Why do people get bullied?

There is no easy answer to this question, but:

• bullies gain a sense of power and control through their activities
• bullies enjoy hurting people
• bullies usually like to have their own way
• bullies are often aggressive by nature
• bullies are often jealous of their victims
• bullying is a learned type of behaviour
• bullies do not always make friends easily, and have to force others to be their friends
• bullies have often been bullied themselves, sometimes at home
• if nobody challenges the bullies, then they get away with it

Together we can stamp bullying out!

Who gets Bullied?

We are all at risk of being bullied, adults, and children. It does not matter what age people are.

Usually, people who are bullied are younger, weaker, or in a group smaller than the bullies' group.

A bully may seem to be your friend - but real friends don't put pressure on you or put you down.

All of us must:

• only accept people who do not bully others
• remember that bullies will soon stop if they are isolated

It is everyone's responsibility to stamp out bullying!

For more information on bullying visit: www.bullying.co.uk

If you need further information or advice, contact the Education Welfare Service at:

Services for Children and Young People, Council Offices, Wellington Road, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 6DL

Each school has a named Education Welfare Officer who can be contacted through the school or at the above address.

For further information, telephone 0161 342 2290/2294 , or Send a Message to Education Welfare Service

Other telephone numbers

Administration:  Send a Message to Education Welfare Service  0161 342 3259

Free School Meals: 0161 342 3257

School Clothing Grants: 0161 342 3258

Juvenile Employment Officer: 0161 342 2224