Bullying

"It happens most days. They call me smelly and fat. They made me give them money again yesterday. They're in the same class and they're always laughing at me. They said if I tell it will be ten times worse. Sometimes I don't go to school... I can't stand it anymore."

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 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 you 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 experienced 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
Bulling can take many forms, from verbal abuse to physical attack
Bulling is a 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.

Since September 2003 all schools must, be law, have a policy to prevent all forms of bullying. (Circular 23/2003 NAfW)

Warning Signs

Running away, non-attendance at school, other learning and behavioural difficulties for no obvious reason. Your child has injuries with no feasible explanation for them.

Action

See someone at their school for their support and action. If bullying is happening outside school, consider contacting the family of the child who is bullying and try and find a way to work together to sort it out.

What to Say

Refuse to put up with bullying. Walk away, tell an adult or friend and avoid fighting. Parents - listen to your child, reassure and be there for them.

Prevention

Talk to your child about their school day. Teach your child that prejudice and bullying is unacceptable.

Contacts

If school based, initially contact the school
Blaenau Gwent Education Welfare Service 01495 350555
Kidscape 020 7730 3300
Anti Bullying Campaign 020 7378 1446
Childline 0800 1111
NSPCC Bi Lingual Service 0808 100 2524
CURB (Children's risk and bullying 24 hour answer service) 029 2061 1300

Take a look at our parenting page here

GRAB

GRAB (Get Real About Bullying), A local Anti-bullying group with a membership of 10 young people across Blaenau Gwent who aims to confront the issue (grab it) and do something about it

more info