If you or your child is being bullied, you can find help and advice below.
What is Bullying?
Bullying is when someone does mean things to hurt you. Here are some examples:
- Calling you names: Saying mean things to you.
- Making up lies: Telling lies to get you into trouble.
- Physical harm: Hitting, pinching, biting, pushing, and shoving you.
- Taking things: Stealing your things or money.
- Damaging your stuff: Breaking your belongings.
- Taking friends: Trying to take your friends away from you.
- Spreading rumors: Saying bad things about you to others.
- Threats and intimidation: Scaring you with threats.
- Silent or abusive phone calls: Making scary or mean phone calls.
- Sending mean messages: Sending hurtful texts or online messages.
- Posting mean things online: Writing bad things about you on the internet.
Bullies can make you feel so scared that you don’t want to go to school. You might pretend to be sick to avoid them.
What to Do if You’re Being Bullied
- Tell Someone: Talk to a friend, teacher, parent, or a family member like a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or cousin.
- Keep a Record: Write things down or record voice notes about the bullying to show your teacher or parents.
- Avoid Fighting Back: Try not to get back at the person bullying you.
- Stay Safe: Be around people who make you feel safe and good about yourself.
- Don’t Blame Yourself: Being bullied is never your fault.
Mobile Phones
- Be Careful with Your Number: Only give your number to people you trust.
- Report Abuse: Tell your parents if you get threatening or abusive calls or texts. It’s a crime to send offensive or threatening messages.
- Go to the Police: If the messages continue, go to the police with all the messages. Record calls if you can.
- Block Unwanted Messages: You can stop unwanted texts by blocking the number or turning off incoming messages for a while.
Internet Safety
- Be Cautious Online: Be careful when using the internet.
- Watch Out for Bullies: Online bullies might use message boards to target you.
- Keep Your Number Private: Only give your number to people you trust in real life.
- Don’t Meet Strangers: Never meet someone you met online by yourself.
Bullying and Gypsy, Roma, Traveller Children
Gypsies, Roma, and Travellers are especially vulnerable to bullying and discrimination.
- Racism: Under the Equality Act 2010, discrimination against Gypsies, Roma, and Travellers is considered racism and should be treated as such.
- High Rates of Abuse: Data shows that 90% of Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller pupils experience racial abuse or expect it.
- Schools’ Responsibility: The Department for Education says schools must actively work to prevent bullying against ethnic minorities, including Gypsies, Roma, and Travellers (Willers. M & Johnson. C. Gypsy and Traveller Law 2020)
Bullying Advice Contacts
- Childline:
- Phone: 0800 1111 (Open 24/7)
- National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC):
- Phone: 0808 800 5000
- Textphone: 0800 056 0566 (Open 24/7)
- Family Lives:
- For parents and carers
- Phone: 0808 800 2222
- Anti Bullying Alliance:
- Friends, Families, and Travellers is a core member of the Anti-Bullying Alliance, a coalition united against bullying.
If you are experiencing difficulties, please contact the Friends, Families and Travellers helpline on 01273 234 777. We are open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4.30pm excluding bank holidays.
Reference:
Willers. M & Johnson. C. Gypsy and Traveller Law, Legal Action Group, 2020
Correct as of June 2024
