Bullying
Bullying, in various forms, can happen in all sorts of places - at home, at school, on the street, and even at work. Sometimes one person is doing the bullying, whereas sometimes there is a group of bullies.
All sorts of behaviour counts as bullying, including:
- calling you names, teasing, or taunting you
- saying nasty things or spreading rumours about you
- getting you into trouble for things you didn't do
- forcing you to do things that you don't want to do or things that you think are wrong.
- getting physical (for example, hitting, kicking or shoving you)
- taking things off you (for example your hat, bag, or mobile phone)
- making you give them things that belong to you (for example, your dinner money)
- damaging or breaking your possessions
- trying to make you look stupid or foolish
- ignoring you or excluding you from things
- threatening, intimidating or frightening you
- threatening to damage your property, or harm your family, friends, or pets
- taking your friends off you, or turning them against you
- making abusive phone calls to you, or phoning you and then not saying anything
- sending you nasty notes, letters, text messages, or e-mails
- posting malicious messages about you in Internet chat rooms or on forums
There are lots of different reasons why some people bully other people - see why do bullies bully for more information. Or, visit the how to stop it section to see how you can help to put a stop to bullying.
