Thinking about bullying
Did you know that this year’s Anti-Bullying Week (“Choose Respect”) begins Monday 11th November. (On a lighter note, it’s Odd Socks Day on Tuesday 12th November, with adults and children being encouraged to wear odd socks to celebrate what makes us all unique.)
According to the UK’s Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA), last year’s event involved 80% of schools in England, Wales and NI. What an incredible effort – but it would be too easy to think that bullying has just one solution or that is solely confined to young people. Bullying can take so many different forms, it’s probably worth reminding ourselves of the main ones.
Bullying can include one or more of the following repeated behaviours:
- Physical – pushing, poking, kicking, hitting, damaging property etc.
- Verbal – name calling, discrimination of any sort, sarcasm, spreading rumours etc.
- Emotional – isolating, threatening, ridicule, intimidation, manipulation and coercion.
- Sexual – unwanted physical contact, abusive / homophobic comments, etc.
- Online / social media – sharing photos, nasty comments or as a tool to exclude
And remember that anyone from babies to the elderly, rich or poor can be a victim – any of us in fact. And any of us can be guilty of bullying behaviour – in our schools, at work (or play) or at home.
Thinking about bullying this November
I know we won’t sort out bullying this month or anytime soon but there’s lots we can do. From encouraging kids to take an active part in their school’s anti-bullying week to being careful how we speak to each other at home (or what we shout at the football!).
Where else can I get support and information?
Perhaps you or someone you know is being bullied, picked on, excluded or manipulated by others? Always remember you are not alone.
Treacle.me includes links to loads of brilliant support groups for people of all ages, such as Bullies Out – who offer discreet email mentoring for example – and others aimed specifically at younger people including Ditch the Label (includes fully trained mentor support and an online community)…
… plus hundreds of other local and national groups offering free support and advice about other family issues, finances, work and so on, many of which you simply won’t be aware of. Treacle.me is free to use, has no annoying ads and never asks for your data or anything about you.
Take care out there and don’t forget to wear those odd socks on Tuesday 12th.
Helen