Bullying can happen anywhere, at school, at home, at work, in online social spaces, via text messaging or via email.
What is bullying? Bullying is repeated verbal, physical, social or psychological aggressive behaviour by a person or group directed towards a less powerful person or group that is intended to cause harm, distress or fear.
Bullying is when one person (or a group of people) with more power than someone else, tries to upset or hurt them. This power can come from being more popular, stronger or part of the group. They might repeatedly try to hurt them physically, try to socially isolate them or say and do mean or humiliating things to them.
Bullying can happen in person or online, and it can be obvious or hidden.
If someone behaves in a mean or aggressive way on one occasion it isn't bullying, even though it is not respectful or acceptable. A fight or disagreement between two people of equal power or status isn't bullying.
Bullying is not ok. It feels awful. You feel like you can't stop it. You have the right to feel safe.
What can you do to avoid/stop bullying?
Body language is very important. You are much less likely to get bullied if you walk around confidently with your head up (not looking at the ground). Remember that there is a happy medium, if you come across as 'cocky' and arrogant that is a problem too! Even if you don't feel it, fake it til you make it! Come across as a strong, assertive, confident person.
Stick with a buddy. Two is better than one! Walking around with a friend or a group of friends reduces the chances of being bullied.
Words/Name calling. That saying 'sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me' is incorrect. Words can really hurt - not in a physical way but certainly in a mental way. But how you deal with those words can make a big difference between you being labelled a 'victim' or coming across as a strong, confident person. The people that try to hurt you with their words are not worthy of your emotion. .....
Avoid getting into a physical fight with a bully however if you are getting physically hurt then you do have the right to defend yourself! There is a big difference between stopping an attack and beating the bully up! Here at InDefence we teach students the skills to, in a worst case scenario, defend themselves in a safe way.
Tell somebody! Don't keep it a secret. Tell your teacher (schools have an obligation to provide you with a safe education), parents, school counsellor or anyone you trust. If you don't feel comfortable talking to someone in person, call the Kids Helpline.
Bullying is not your fault! Bullies are people who have low self-esteem (who more often than not, have been treated very poorly themselves) and a great need for power/attention - a bad combination. Thousands of kids who are perfectly nice get bullied every single day.
For more information on bullying please check out the following websites: