Bullying and anti-bullying

Bullying can be physical violence, verbal abuse or being cut out of social groups.

It doesn't need to be physical. It can include:

• abusive texts
• e-mails
• nasty notes put onto social networks and websites – known as cyber-bullying

Bullying is not a one-off incident such as a fight or when equal people quarrel.

Our definition

Bullying is an abuse of power by one or more people through repeated hurtful or aggressive behaviour with the intention of causing emotional or physical harm.

If you're being bullied

Don't suffer in silence tell someone about it. Tell a friend, a parent or a teacher at your school.

There are also a few things that you can do:

• act more confidently - people who bully will often pick people out who seem quiet and reserved
• travel home with a group of friends or get an adult to collect you at the gate - you're better protected with a group
• walk away from a fight - it's a bad idea to hit back as you may get yourself into trouble if you're provoked into a fight

If you know or see someone being bullied

If you know someone is being bullied, do something about it. By not saying or doing anything, you're letting the victim suffer for longer.

You can:

• tell them to stop doing it, without getting yourself involved in a confrontation
• tell someone else - like a teacher at your school

If you see someone actually being physically attacked, tell the police

If you're bullying others

It's often just as hard for people who have bullied others to ask for help.

Talk to a teacher or an older person you can trust. Talk through the reasons behind your bullying.

If you want to talk to someone anonymously, try phoning Childline.

The NSPCC – the UK children's charity will also help.