What is Bullying?

Definition of bullying 

 Bullying is any behaviour by an individual or group that: 

• Is deliberately meant to cause harm- the person or people doing the bullying know what they are doing and mean to do it.
• It happens more than once - there is a pattern of behaviour, not just a ‘one off’ incident
• It involves an imbalance of power - the person/people being bullied will usually find it very hard to defend themselves.

Types of Bullying

• Physical, e.g., Kicking, hitting, taking and damaging property
• Verbal; e.g. name calling, taunting, offensive remarks, teasing
• Relational; e.g. gossiping, spreading rumours, excluding from social groups
• Cyber; e.g. text messages, emails, instant messaging (Snapchat, WhatsApp), picture/video bullying
• Prejudice based; e.g. related to sex, gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, special educational needs or disability.  

Restorative Approach

Signs and Symptoms of Bullying 

A child may indicate by signs or behaviour that he or she is being bullied. Adults should be aware of these possible signs and should investigate if a child:  

• is frightened of walking to or from school 
• doesn’t want to go on the bus  
• begs to be driven to school 
• changes their usual routine  
• is unwilling to go to school (school phobic) 
• begins to truant  
• becomes withdrawn anxious, or lacking in confidence
• starts stammering 
• attempts or threatens suicide or runs away  
• cries themselves to sleep at night or has nightmares  
• feels ill in the morning 
• begins to do poorly in school work  
• comes home with clothes torn or books damaged  
• has possessions which are damaged or “go missing” 
• asks for money or starts stealing money (to pay bully)  
• has dinner or other monies continually “lost”  
• has unexplained cuts or bruises 
• comes home starving (lunch/money has been stolen) 
• becomes aggressive, disruptive or unreasonable  
• is bullying other children or siblings 
• stops eating 
• is frightened to say what’s wrong 
• gives improbable excuses for any of the above  
• is afraid to use the internet or mobile phone  
• is nervous and jumpy when a cyber message is received. 

Support and Advice

Childline
Tel: 0800 11111

Bullying Online
Website: www.bullying.co.uk

Kidscape Online
Website: www.kidscape.org.uk
Tel: KIDSCAPE Parents Helpline (Mon-Fri, 10- 4) 0845 1 205 204
Tel: Parentline Plus 0808 800 2222

Useful Links and Documents

https://anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/ 

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