Bullying

Bullying refers to repetitive, intentional behaviour aimed at causing harm, fear or discomfort to another person.

It often involves a power imbalance where the person bullying asserts control over the individual being targeted. Bullying can happen physically, verbally or online.

It’s important to remember that bullying is not the same as a single argument or playful teasing. Those can happen between friends, but bullying is meant to hurt and is never OK.

Bullying is not just a one-time thing, either: it happens more than once and can make the person being bullied feel scared, upset, or alone.

No one deserves to be bullied, and it is never your fault if it happens to you.

What Does Bullying Look Like?

Bullying can take many forms. It can be:

• Physical: Direct physical harm and aggression, like hitting, kicking, pushing, or damaging someone’s belongings.
• Verbal and Emotional: Using hurtful language, such as name-calling, teasing, threatening, or making fun of someone.
• Social: Spreading rumours, leaving someone out, or trying to ruin friendships.
• Cyberbullying: Harassing someone by sending mean or intimidating messages, sharing private photos, or embarrassing them online.
• Discriminatory: Harassing someone based on sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, or anything else perceived as making them “different”.

Some bullies act alone. Others may be part of a group. Sometimes, people join in or watch without stopping it. Even if someone isn’t doing the bullying themselves, not speaking up can also be harmful.

Recognise this behaviour in your own actions?

If you read the above list and recognised some of that behaviour in your own actions, you might be bullying someone — whether you mean to or not.

People don’t always mean to be hurtful toward others: sometimes, we act this way because of something going on in our own lives. Talking to a counsellor or another trusted adult can help you understand what’s going on and learn how to treat others with respect.

How Bullying Can Make You Feel

Being bullied can affect your emotions, your self-esteem and even your health. You might feel:

• Sad or angry
• Afraid to go to school
• Alone or left out
• Not good enough
• Worried or anxious all the time

These feelings are valid. You don’t have to keep them inside — talking it through can help.

What You Can Do if You’re Being Bullied

You don’t have to face bullying on your own. Here are some steps you can take:

You might feel like nothing will change, but things can get better. Speaking to an adult you trust is the first step.

1. Stay safe: If possible, avoid the bully by staying close to friends or safe areas at school.
2. Stay calm: Try not to give the bully a reaction, and don’t fight back — it can make things worse and get you into trouble, too.
3. Report it: Keep a record of what happened, when and where, and report it to a trusted adult, like a teacher, school counsellor or guardian.
4. Take care of yourself: Do things that make you feel confident and supported. This is important for staying positive.

You might feel like nothing will change, but things can get better. Speaking to an adult you trust is the first step.

Why Do People Bully?

There are lots of reasons why someone might bully others. Sometimes, bullies are going through tough times themselves. They might feel angry, powerless or want to feel in control. But none of these are excuses: bullying is always wrong.

Need Support?

Whether you're being bullied or you're worried about someone else, talking to a trusted adult can really help.