Bullying and harassment are very serious issues which can deeply affect a person’s life.

What is bullying

• Bullying is usually intentional and done on purpose, usually involving deliberately hurtful acts of aggression and/or manipulation by one or more people against another person or people.
• Bullying can last for a short or long period of time, and is always an abuse of power by the bully or bullies.
• Bullying is sometimes pre-meditated (thought of or planned beforehand) and sometimes opportunistic (taking advantage of the moment) but is almost always persistent and constant.

This can be calling people names, threatening someone, hitting or beating someone up, damaging their stuff or property etc. (For more information about the nature and types of bullying see the weblinks below)

Bullying includes any behaviour which picks on or singles anyone out. Usually this is based on them being different i.e. different ethnic group, religion, sexuality, gender or having a disability.

If you are being bullied always talk to someone and seek help, advice and support about it. We know that young people are reluctant to tell someone and report that they are being bullied. This could be a friend, parent(s), teacher, youth worker, Connexions PA or someone you trust.

Bullying at School

If the bullying happens at school then you should report it to a teacher, Police School Liaison Officer, Connexions PA or member of staff. They have a duty to help protect you and work to stop the bullying happening. You can check their Anti Bullying policy and see what the school has said they would do to combat bullying happening in your school.

Bullying Outside School

If the bullying happens outside school then you can contact the Anti Social Behaviour Team within the Partnership Community Safety Team in the city (see ‘Map of Services’ or the ‘Anti Social Behaviour’ page on this site for more information). The anti Social Behaviour Team can advice you and your parents and help find solutions to stop the bullying and help protect you in your community and on the streets.

Bullying in and out of School

If the bullying happens in and out of school, perpetrated by the same individuals, then the Anti Social Behaviour Team, the School and Police can work together to provide solutions to help tackle the issue and protect you from the bullying and harassment which is going on.

Bullying can be a very complex and persistent concern. But, with services (i.e. schools, Police, Anti-Social Behavior Team and others) working together, solutions can be found to help tackle it. In order to do this however, evidence is needed. Therefore, you should always keep a diary of incidents so that you can show to others what has and is happening, what sort of things are happening and how it affects you.

Advice for young people

• If you are being bullied, always speak to someone you trust a teacher, your parents, youth worker, Connexions PA or friend.
• If you are being bullied in school speak to a friend, teacher, connexions PA, Police School Liaison Officer or someone you trust, and they will help you find a solution and advice you as to what they can do.
• Your school should have an anti-bullying policy they will be able to use.
• Pick someone you trust who you can always turn to and talk to about it.
• Keep a diary of whenever things happen, this will help provide evidence to make sure that something is done about it all.
• If you are being bullied by text or over the internet always save the messages so you can use them as proof and show others what is going on.
• If you are bullied out on the streets or in your neighbourhood you can contact the Partnership Community Safety Team and Anti-Social Behaviour Team who are here to protect and help you. Or speak to your local youth worker.

Links

www.anti-bullyingalliance.org/

The Anti-Bullying Alliance was founded by the NSPCC and National children’s Bureau in 2002. The Alliance brings together 65 organisations into one network with the aim of reducing bullying and creating safer environments in which children and young people can live, grow, play and learn. The site has lots of information for young people about bullying and has a list of other websites where you can find out more.

www.coastkid.org/

Coastkid is a local anti-bullying website developed for the children and young people of Brighton & Hove. It explores the nature of bullying, including example stories and information which raises awareness of what bullying is and how it can impact on someone’s life. It also includes information and advice which can help you deal with any bullying and harassment you may be experiencing.

www.bullying.co.uk/

The Bullying online website is a great website that provides a range of information and advice about bullying in schools for children, young people, parents, teachers and other school staff.

www.bbc.co.uk/schools/bullying/

A great resource developed by the BBC which gives you a lot of information and advice about bullying.

www.childline.org.uk/Bullying

This is a great website developed by Childline which gives you a range of information, resources and advice about bullying.

www.dfes.gov.uk/bullying/

The Department for Education and Skills, who advice schools and set the curriculum, have produces this website to support their anti bullying campaign. The site provides a lot of information, resources and advice about bullying and the impact it can have on someone’s life.