About bullying

• Children have the right not to be hurt
• Bullying behaviour is unacceptable
• Bullying can happen to any child at any age
• Act immediately if you think your child is being bullied
• Children need ways to protect themselves and seek help
• Advise your child to run, yell and tell

The real story

Bullying is a frightening experience. It can isolate and damage a young person's self-confidence. Some ongoing bullying can have negative long-term effects on children, leading to depression and even suicidal thoughts and actions.

School days are a time when the influence of other children is very important and fitting in is seen as essential. If children are thought of as different for any reason, they can be picked on and bullied. Sadly, we still live in a society in which to be different in any way can mean ridicule and bullying (often copied from parents) and this ensures that prejudice will continue into the next generation. It is crucial to be alert to the possibility of bullying and make sure you know the tell-tale signs.

You may think that your child is unlikely to be bullied but the reality is that bullying can happen at any time and to any child.

Bullies who continually harm other children need support and help as well. They may have experience difficulties of their own at home, which may have led to their actions. Reporting concerns may help them to get help as well.

• Bullying can happen anywhere but most commonly it happens in school
• Bullying can take many forms, from verbal abuse to physical attack

Bullying is the repeated abuse of a child by one or several people

• Bullies are not always older than the child they harm
• Most bullying is done by children who are the same age as the victim

If your child tells you about a friend or any other child who is being bullied - listen carefully and take this seriously. That child may not be able to say for themselves what is happening.

Today all schools are required to have an anti-bullying policy. However, school action alone cannot guarantee success and so it is important that parents and schools work together.