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Coping
and dealing with bullying can be difficult, but remember, you are
not the problem, the bully is. You have a right to feel safe
and secure.
Throughout this section you are told that the best thing to do to
stop bullying is to tell someone 'you can trust' about
what's going on. It may actually be quite hard to think of the right person
to tell - so, how do you know who is the right person?
When you are happy and have good news to tell, who do you talk
to?
For example, if you did well in your exam's, scored a goal for the
school team or got a new boyfriend/girlfriend who would you tell?
You may find that the people you share good news with are also
the same people that you should talk to about not so good things -
grandparents, parents, friends, teachers, brothers or sisters!
Things YOU can do;
- If someone is bullying you, you should always tell an
adult you can trust. This isn't telling tales.
You have the right to be safe and adults can do things to
get bullying stopped.
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- It can be hard to tell someone, so if you don't feel you
can do it in person it might be easier to write a note explaining how you
feel.
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- An adult needs to know so something can be done.
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- If you're different in some way, be proud of it!
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- Spend time with your friends - bullies hardly ever pick
on people if they're with others in a group. Tell a
friend what is happening - ask for help - it will be
harder for the bully to pick on you if you have a friend
with you for support.
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- Try to ignore the bullying or say 'No' really firmly,
then turn and walk away. Don't worry if people think
you are running away. Remember, it is very hard for
the bully to go on bullying someone who won't stand still
to listen.
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- Try not to show that you are upset or angry.
Bullies love to get a reaction - it's 'fun.' If you
keep calm and hide your emotions, they might get bored and
leave you alone - "they can't bully you if you don't
care."
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- Keep a diary of what is happening. Write down
details of what is happening and how you feel. When
you decide to tell someone, a written record of the
bullying makes it easier to prove what has been going
on. You may also go and see your doctor to get the
problem officially recorded.
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Things YOU should NOT do;
- Don't try to deal with the problem on your own -
there is nothing wrong in asking for help when you are in
trouble.
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- Don't hit the bullies - you might end up being
accused of bullying yourself.
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- Don't make things up - always tell the truth
about what has happened. If a small part of what you
are saying is untrue then people will doubt everything
else that you say.
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- Don't believe the lies that the bullies tell
about you.
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- Don't hide what is happening from the adults you
trust. Keeping things secret is the bullies biggest
weapon against you. That is why they go to so much
trouble to try to keep you from telling.
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If you see a friend being bullied please tell someone about
it. People who are being bullied need friends so if you can
help someone who is so unhappy please do. You could encourage
them to talk to an adult, or you could offer to talk to an adult for
them. If you do nothing, you're saying that bullying is okay
with you!
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