How to see off the Heavy Mob
(or Coping with COWARDS!)
Signs of Bullying
  • A child becomes withdrawn and shy.
  • Grades deteriorate at school.
  • No apparent friends.
  • Refusal to say what's wrong.
  • Fear of walking to and from school.
  • Crying themselves to sleep.
  • Having nightmares.
  • Becoming distressed, stopping eating.
  • Unwilling to go to school.
  • Suicide attempts.
What to do if YOU are being bullied
  • Remember ALL bullies are COWARDS! Tell them so and ask the mouthy one, normally the leader, to face you on a '1 to 1' basis. They mainly bully when they are with a group of cronies.
  • Laugh at, or ignore, comments and teasing. Remember these people want to frighten you, so humour or silence might throw them off. If you keep it up for a while, they'll probably get bored.
  • Remember, it's very hard for a bully to continue bullying someone who won't stand still and listen. Say 'No' really firmly, then walk away. Don't worry if people think you're running away.
  • If a group is bothering you, look the weakest one of the group in the eye and say 'This isn't funny', then walk away.
  • You can sign for a self-assertiveness course which will boost your confidence and self belief.
  • Stay with a crowd - bullies usually pick on kids that are alone.
  • If you can get gang members on their own, ask why they find it necessary to gang up on one person.
  • It might help to ring up one of the bullies and ask how they'd like it if this were happening to them. It will only work if you have some sort of relationship with that person.
  • Seek the advice of your parents and, if they have any ideas, give them a try. You need their help and support.
  • Tell a friend what's happening and ask for help. It'll be harder for bullies to pick on you if you have a friend by your side for support.
  • Stop thinking and acting like a victim - you don't deserve this. Walk tall, pretend you are confident, even if you're not.
    Ask yourself 'How would I act if I weren't frightened of them?' You'd smile. You'd stroll. You'd be casual. So do it, even if you don't feel like it. SHOW NO FEAR!
  • Keep a diary of all events - time and place and what's said. Give it to your parents and have them contact the school governors (ask the school secretary for names) to tell them what's happening. Use the diary as evidence.
    No school governor will tolerate bullying in their school and they'll make sure the head and teachers deal with it. Teachers have a duty to act against bullies.
How can school help?
Your school should have an anti-bullying policy which tells you how to report bullying. If you're not sure, ask your teacher or head of year.
KIDSCAPE has a model anti-bullying policy which anyone can get by sending a large self-addressed envelope (see phone book for address and phone number UK only. Check for similar organisations in your own country.).
The policy should include:

  • Encouraging anyone who's being bullied or who has seen bullying to tell about it.
  • Having bully boxes where students can put in a note about what's happening.
  • Holding student meetings where problems like bullying are discussed and dealt with.
  • Ensuring there are specially trained students to help others, or teachers assigned to help with bullying problems.

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