What is Bullying?

What is bullying? 

Bullying...

• is repeated over a period of time
• causes pain and distress
• is behaviour which shows intentional aggression towards the same person or group of people. 

It is not...

• falling out with friends (initially)
• accidental contact during sports
• not being invited to a party/ game once or a couple of times

 
Bullying can be:

• Verbal (saying things and calling names)
• Physical (hitting, pushing and throwing)
• Psychological (leaving people out and dirty looks)
• Written (graffiti and passing notes)
• Racist (because of someone’s ethnic or cultural background)
• Homophobic (because someone is, or is thought to be, lesbian or gay, or bisexual or transgendered)
• Cyber (which happens on a computer or mobile phone)
• Sexual (unwanted touching or sexual language)
• Sexist (boys against girls etc)
• Blackmail
• Extortion 
• Coercion (getting people to do things)

How do I know if my child is being bullied?

Any child can be bullied. The signs will be different for each individual.  Signs may include:

• not wanting to go to school or play out
• worrying about the journey to school
• feeling ill or having nightmares
• unexplained injuries
• seeming withdrawn or upset
• bullying other children
• a change in routines/ truanting
• lost money or unusual requests