Bullying can make us feel unsafe and unhappy. It stops us from being who we want to be, and can make it hard to learn and be with other people.
If you are being bullied or you see bullying happening, do something! If you are bullying others, take the first step to stopping by getting help.
If bullying isn't challenged, it can create an environment where bullying is accepted and where everyone feels powerless to stop it.
Bullying is NEVER OK!
Students who experience bullying can access support and advice with practical tips developed in partnership by Bullying. No Way! and the eSafety Commissioner.
Our
fact sheets cover what bullying might look and feel like, what to do if someone is being bullied and who students can turn to for help.
What is bullying
Bullying is when one person (or a group of people) with more power than someone else repeatedly tries to upset or hurt them.
This power can come from being more popular, stronger or part of the group. They might repeatedly try to hurt them physically, socially isolate them, or say and do mean or humiliating things to them.
Bullying of any form or for any reason can have long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders.
Bullying can happen in person or online, and it can be obvious or hidden.
Bullying involves misusing any power that a person has to harm someone else, and might involve repeatedly:
- physically hurting someone
- keeping someone out of a group (online or in person)
- saying mean or humiliating things, or spreading rumours or lies
- sending nasty messages or inappropriate images online
- tagging inappropriate or unflattering images online.
I am being bullied
You have a right to feel safe and be safe. Being bullied can make you feel miserable and powerless but things can change.
There are things you can do, and doing something will help you feel like you are taking your power back.
Tell a teacher, parent or other adult or a friend who can help you. Remember, the sooner you report the bullying and take action, the sooner things can change.
Bullying affects each person in different ways. Common feelings include:
- ashamed that this is happening to you
- hopeless and stuck and can't get out of the situation
- like it is your fault
- alone, like there is no one to help you
- like you don't fit in with the cool group
- depressed and rejected by your friends and other groups of people
- unsafe and afraid
- confused about why this is happening to you
- stressed about what to do.
But, you're not alone and it's not okay.
It's awful to feel this way, but it is not hopeless and there are things you can do. You don't have to feel like this.
I've been called a bully
You may feel upset and be confused about why someone has called you a bully.
If you are not sure whether you have bullied someone, think about whether you have been using bullying behaviours. Even if you don't think it's bullying, someone has a problem with how you are behaving towards them.
Bullying is when one person (or a group of people) with more power than someone else repeatedly tries to upset or hurt them.
This power can come from being more popular, stronger or part of the group. They might repeatedly try to hurt them physically, socially isolate them, or say and do mean or humiliating things to them.
Bullying of any form or for any reason can have long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders.
Bullying can happen in person or online, and it can be obvious or hidden.
You have a responsibility to help fix it.
You can take steps to make sure it doesn't happen again. You may also need someone else to help you to change things.
I've seen someone being bullied
Have you seen bullying happen but didn't know how to stop it?
When someone you know is being bullied it can be upsetting. If you see or know of others being bullied you may feel angry, fearful, guilty, and sad. You may also feel worried that the bullying could happen to you.
You can take action to stop bullying happening. It is important to do something because ignoring it gives 'silent approval'.
When other people intervene the bullying is more likely to stop.
There are things you can do. But don't put your own safety at risk, and step in only if you feel safe to do so.