Bullying is defined as repeated and intentional harmful actions against an individual or group that causes distress. There are different types of bullying including physical, verbal, cyber, and social bullying. Bullying can negatively impact individuals by making them feel guilty, hopeless, alone, depressed, ashamed, and unsafe. Individuals have a right to feel safe and bullying can violate human rights. Seeking help from a trusted individual, confronting the bully, or talking to a teacher are suggested ways to address bullying.

2. WHAT IS BULLYING?
•“BULLYING” IS WHEN PEOPLE REPEATEDLY AND INTENTIONALLY USE WORDS
OR ACTIONS AGAINST SOMEONE OR A GROUP OF PEOPLE TO CAUSE DISTRESS
AND RISK TO THEIR WELLBEING. THESE ACTIONS ARE USUALLY DONE BY PEOPLE
WHO HAVE MORE INFLUENCE OR POWER OVER SOMEONE ELSE, OR WHO
WANT TO MAKE SOMEONE ELSE FEEL LESS POWERFUL OR HELPLESS.

3. TYPES OF BULLYING
•“PHYSICAL BULLYING” INCLUDES HITTING, KICKING, TRIPPING, PINCHING AND PUSHING OR
DAMAGING PROPERTY. PHYSICAL BULLYING CAUSES BOTH SHORT TERM AND LONG TERM
DAMAGE.
• “VERBAL BULLYING” INCLUDES NAME CALLING, INSULTS, TEASING, INTIMIDATION,
HOMOPHOBIC OR RACIST REMARKS, OR VERBAL ABUSE. WHILE VERBAL BULLYING CAN START
OFF HARMLESS, IT CAN ESCALATE TO LEVELS WHICH START AFFECTING THE INDIVIDUAL TARGET.
KEEP READING IN THIS SECTION FOR TECHNIQUES TO DEAL WITH VERBAL BULLYING.

4. •“CYBER BULLYING” CAN BE OVERT OR COVERT BULLYING BEHAVIOURS USING DIGITAL
TECHNOLOGIES, INCLUDING HARDWARE SUCH AS COMPUTERS AND SMARTPHONES, AND
SOFTWARE SUCH AS SOCIAL MEDIA, INSTANT MESSAGING, TEXTS, WEBSITES AND OTHER
ONLINE PLATFORMS.
•“SOCIAL BULLYING” SOMETIMES REFERRED TO AS COVERT BULLYING, IS OFTEN HARDER TO
RECOGNISE AND CAN BE CARRIED OUT BEHIND THE BULLIED PERSON'S BACK. IT IS DESIGNED
TO HARM SOMEONE'S SOCIAL REPUTATION AND/OR CAUSE HUMILIATION.

5. HOW BULLYING CAN AFFECT INDIVIDUALS:
• FEELING GUILTY LIKE IT IS YOUR FAULT
• FEELING HOPELESS AND STUCK LIKE YOU CAN’T GET OUT OF THE SITUATION
• FEELING ALONE, LIKE THERE IS NO ONE TO HELP YOU
• FEELING LIKE YOU DON’T FIT IN WITH THE COOL GROUP
• FEELING DEPRESSED AND REJECTED BY YOUR FRIENDS AND OTHER GROUPS OF PEOPLE
• FEELING UNSAFE AND AFRAID
• FEELING CONFUSED AND STRESSED OUT WONDERING WHAT TO DO AND WHY THIS IS HAPPENING TO YOU
• FEELING ASHAMED THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO YOU

6. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
• YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO FEEL SAFE AND TO BE TREATED FAIRLY AND RESPECTFULLY. BULLYING IS IS
A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH SERIOUS MENTAL AND PHYSICAL IMPACTS. BULLYING CAN VIOLATE
MANY OF YOUR HUMAN RIGHTS INCLUDING:
• YOUR RIGHT TO BE FREE FROM MENTAL, EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL VIOLENCE
• YOUR RIGHT TO EDUCATION
• YOUR RIGHT TO A SAFE WORK ENVIRONMENT

7. WHAT CAN YOU DO TO STOP BULLIES?
• IF YOU ARE BEING BULLIED, YOU SHOULD TALK TO SOMEONE YOU KNOW WELL AND TRUST; THEY WILL GIVE YOU
MUCH NEEDED SUPPORT AND WILL OFTEN HAVE SUGGESTIONS YOU HADN'T CONSIDERED FOR HELPING WITH
THE SITUATION.
• YOU MIGHT FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE TAKING A FRIEND WITH YOU TO TALK TO THE BULLY OR WHEN SEEKING
HELP. IF YOU FEEL YOU MIGHT GET TOO NERVOUS TO SPEAK, WRITE DOWN WHAT YOU'D LIKE TO SAY ON PAPER
OR IN AN EMAIL.
• IF YOU FEEL SAFE AND CONFIDENT, YOU SHOULD APPROACH THE PERSON WHO IS BULLYING YOU AND TELL THEM
THAT THEIR BEHAVIOUR IS UNWANTED AND NOT ACCEPTABLE.
• IF YOU ARE BEING BULLIED WHILE AT SCHOOL, IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO SEEK HELP FROM A FRIEND, OR TO TALK TO
A TEACHER OR COUNSELLOR TO SEE IF THEY CAN HELP.