Torbay Safeguarding Children Partnership

You have the right to be taught in a friendly and positive learning environment where you have equal opportunities to achieve socially, emotionally and academically. Unfortunately, bullying does take place both in and out of school.

Bullying includes:

• Name calling
• Making things up to get others into trouble
• Hitting, pinching, biting, pushing and shoving
• Stealing others belongings/money
• Damaging others belongings
• Taking friends away to make someone feel excluded
• Cyberbullying - posting hurtful remarks or pictures online
• Spreading rumours
• Threats and intimidation
• Making silent or abusive phone calls

Bullies can also frighten others to the extent that they don't want to go to school, and pretend to be ill to avoid them.

I am being bullied - what can I do?

Tell someone that you can trust. Make sure you share your worries with a parent, friend, teacher or a relative. The best way to protect yourself from being bullied is to tell someone so that you can get some help.

If you try to fight back, you might make the situation worse or get into trouble yourself.

Tell someone how it is making you feel

Remember to be honest so that those who want to help you can believe everything you are saying. Don’t ignore bullying - it won’t go away on its own and it may get worse.

Text, email or phone someone

If talking to someone face to face worries you then you can text, email or phone someone. There are also links on the bottom of this page that you might find helpful.

Keep a record

Write about where the bullying happened, on what day and what time. Also write down what was said and who was there. Try to remember as much as you can.  Save any nasty texts or emails that you have been sent.

What not to do

• Don't ignore bullying in the hope that it goes away.
• Don't believe what the bully is saying - he/she is only saying it to excuse their bad behaviour.
• Don't spend time by yourself worrying.
• Don't start bullying because you feel angry or upset.
• Don't hit back. It doesn't usually work, and you may end up in a lot of trouble.

If you or someone you know is being bullied please talk to your parents, carers or a responsible adult like your teacher.

If you don’t feel comfortable telling someone you know, you can call ChildLine Opens in a new window 0800 1111 and they will listen and give you advice.

You can also get advice from The Anti Bullying Network Opens in a new window, Bullying UK Opens in a new window or the NSPCC Opens in a new window.