Schools, services and families should work together to prevent bullying from happening. In the first instance contact your child’s school to discuss any bullying concerns.
Bullying
It can be:
- physical: hitting, kicking, taking things
- verbal: name calling, insulting, making offensive remarks, persistent teasing, sarcasm, threats
- indirect: spreading nasty rumours or stories, excluding from social groups, sending malicious emails or text messages
- digital: sending nasty emails or text messages, digital images that are altered, or taken without permission
- racist: as name calling, discrimination
- sexual: unwanted physical contact, abusive comments
- homophobic: inappropriate comments about someone's sexuality (or perceived sexuality)
- emotional: such as ignoring, tormenting, being excluded from social groups
The Warning Signs
Bullying is a difficult and sensitive issue which children are often reluctant to talk about. But there are signs which may suggest your child is being bullied:
- reluctance to go to school, including frequent complaints of headaches or stomach aches
- behavioural difficulties for no obvious reason
- bruises, scratches or unusual injuries that have no reasonable explanation for them
- loss or damage to their belongings with no feasible explanation
- frightened to walk to and from school
- having nightmares
- stealing money or asking for money
Taking Action
If you believe your child is being bullied, you should:
- talk to your child calmly about what is happening
- reassure your child he or she has done the right thing by telling you about it
- make a note of what your child tells you
- encourage your child to report anything to the teacher
- make an appointment to see your child's class teacher or the headteacher
- report online videos of bullying and teach them how to stay safe online
What to Say
Tell children to walk away, tell a teacher, adult or friend and to avoid fighting.
Parents - listen to your child, comfort them and tell them that you are there for them.
Prevention
- Talk to your child about their school day.
- Teach your child to be kind and respect others from a young age.
- Teach your child that bullying, and prejudice are unacceptable.
- Help them make new friends, join after-school clubs, develop new interests.
- Focus on the positive and build up their confidence.
More Advice and Support
Visit the websites below for more advice: