Remember last week we were talking about how bad bullies are and, even worse, how terrible it is to be bullied?
Here are some things that you can do if you are being targeted by a bully.
- Get away as soon as possible and move to a safe please where there are other kids and adults.
- Avoid places where you are alone – hang out with other people. Even if you are not friends with them – hang out near them anyway.
- Act as if the bullying has no power over you. Look calm and confident (even if you are terrified). You can do this by standing up straight and tall – put your shoulders back and push your chest forward. (Practise this in the mirror at home – you never know when you might need to stand tall.)
- Stand up for yourself – act as though the bullying is really boring and answer back with things like – So? Yup? Really? And…? Whatever you say! Who cares?
- Get help from an adult you trust. Tell them what has happened to you and ask for their support. If one person does not listen – go to somebody else.
- Keep in mind that bullying is about the person who is doing the bullying. Although they are targeting you and it affects your life – it’s not really about you – it says something about the person who is doing the bullying. Never forget that. It is not your fault.
- Tell yourself that you are awesome, brave, lovable, worthy of respect and belonging. Nobody can take that away from you. Own it. Say it often. Remind yourself all the time that you are fabulous.
If you see somebody being bullied it is NOT cool to just walk away and not get involved either. YOUR SILENCE ENCOURAGES THE BULLY!
This is what you can do.
- Don’t laugh and don’t encourage the bully in any other way.
- Tell others not to join in on the bullying either. You can make a difference by encouraging others to do the same.
- Help the victim any way you can – speak directly to them and say something like “Let’s get out of here.”
- Show the victim that you are empathetic – say “I would feel sad and angry too” or “I’m sorry this is happening to you.”
- Encourage the victim to tell an adult and offer to go with them.
Stand up for what is right – even if you are standing alone!
Sibo
xxx