Helping someone else

Perhaps it isn’t you that is being bullied, but you know of someone who is. Maybe that person is not a close friend, but a classmate or someone else you know. Have you ever stood and watched someone being bullied?

Don’t ignore bullying of any kind. This will encourage the bullies, as they will think they can get away with doing what they want. Any help you can offer will make a difference.

Remember, no act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted.

To help you, here are a few do’s and don’ts:

• Don’t rush over and take them on – it might not be safe. The bullies may turn on you and you could end up getting hurt.
• Do inform a teacher or other adult as soon as possible. The most important thing to remember is SAFETY. Although you may not want to tell on the bully, speak to an adult immediately as your classmate may be in danger and this can be really helpful in stopping the bullying.
• Do write down what you have seen/heard. This will be very helpful and will give your teacher an understanding of what has been happening.
• Do tell your parents. Bullying creates an atmosphere of fear and those who witness bullying can become upset and worried. Maybe they could speak to a member of staff.
• Be a friend to the person who is being bullied. Just knowing you are supportive and willing to listen can make a big difference to them. Being bullied makes a person feel very alone and by joining your group of friends may boost their self-esteem and confidence.
• Don’t join in. Laugh along with a bully and you are no different to them.

Other things you can do to help stop bullying in your school

• Make sure your school library has a wide selection of anti-bullying books.
• Talk to your teachers about having discussions/assemblies about bullying.
• Classes could produce posters, pictures, poems or drama that could be shared with the rest of the school.
• Make sure there are lots of supervisors around at break/lunchtime. Children need to feel safe.
• Ask the school to put up our anti-bullying posters – click here to download or write to us with your schools details and we will send you some.
• Many schools now have ‘bullying mentors’. They should be easy to identify, for example, by wearing a different colour shirt. The mentors are there to help people who bully as well as people who are being bullied.

Don’t be part of the problem, be part of the SOLUTION!