Anti-Bullying Week: How you can make a difference

𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐢-𝐁𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤: 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐃𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞

It can happen face to face or online, at work, school or in the community. But whatever form it takes and wherever it occurs, there’s no excuse for bullying. As this week is Anti-Bullying Week, let’s look at the signs to look out for and how best to deal with it.

𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬 𝐚 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐛𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠

• Unexplained injuries
• Difficulty sleeping or bedwetting
• A reluctance to go to school
• Altered eating habits

𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐛𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐛𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠

• Loss of confidence and motivation
• Anxiety or depression
• Increased absence
• Reduced performance

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐛𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠

Talk to someone you trust about what you’re experiencing. Also, keep a record of incidents so that if your complaint escalates, you have times and dates to back up your story. Most importantly, don’t blame yourself.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐛𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠

Raise the issue with the person you’re concerned about. If they don’t want to discuss things, signpost who they could talk to in the school or organisation if they have an issue. Learn more about Anti-Bullying Week at www.antibullyingalliance.org.uk.

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐮𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞, 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠.