Anti-bullying Week

What is bullying?

Bullying is intentional behaviour that hurts someone else. It includes name calling, hitting, pushing, spreading rumours, threatening or undermining someone. It can happen anywhere – at school, at home or online. It’s usually repeated over a long period of time and can hurt a child both physically and emotionally.

Bullying can take different forms. It could include:

• • physical bullying: hitting, slapping or pushing someone
  • verbal bullying: name calling, gossiping or threatening someone
  • non-verbal abuse: hand signs or text messages
  • emotional abuse: threatening, intimidating or humiliating someone
  • exclusion: ignoring or isolating someone
  • undermining, constant criticism or spreading rumours
  • controlling or manipulative behaviour
  • making silent, hoax or abusive calls.

The following types of bullying are also hate crimes:

• racial, sexual, transphobic or homophobic bullying
• bullying someone because they have a disability.

What is cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place online. Unlike bullying offline, online bullying can follow the child wherever they go, via social networks, gaming and mobile phone. A person can be bullied online and offline at the same time.

Cyberbullying can include:

• sending threatening or abusive text messages
• creating and sharing embarrassing images or videos
• trolling – the sending of menacing or upsetting messages on social networks, chat rooms or online games
• excluding children from online games, activities or friendship groups
• shaming someone online
• setting up hate sites or groups about a particular child
• encouraging young people to self-harm
• voting for or against someone in an abusive poll
• creating fake accounts, hijacking or stealing online identities to embarrass a young person or cause trouble using their name
• sending explicit messages, also known as sexting
• pressuring children into sending sexual images or engaging in sexual conversations.

You can find out more about cyberbullying on the following link: the HERE page.

Signs of bullying

No single sign will indicate for certain that your child’s being bullied, but watch out for:

• belongings getting ‘lost’ or damaged
• physical injuries, such as unexplained bruises
• being afraid to go to school, being mysteriously ‘ill’ each morning, or skipping school
• a change in how they are doing at school, including a dip in grades or not handing homework in
• asking for, or stealing, money (to give to whoever’s bullying them)
• a change in behaviour, including being nervous, losing confidence, or becoming distressed and withdrawn
• a change in eating or sleeping habits
• bullying others.

Effects of bullying

Children who are bullied:

• may develop mental health problems like depression and anxiety
• have fewer friendships
• aren’t accepted by their peers
• are wary and suspicious of others
• have problems adjusting to school, and don’t do as well.

All children who are affected by bullying can suffer harm – whether they are being bullied, bully others or witness bullying. It’s important all children get support if they are being bullied, or if they are displaying bullying behaviours towards others.

Who’s at risk?

Any child can be bullied for any reason. If a child is seen as different in some way, or seen as an easy target they can be more at risk.

This might be because of their:

• race or ethnic background
• gender
• sexual orientation.

Or it could be because they:

• appear anxious or have low self-esteem
• lack assertiveness
• are shy or introverted.

Popular or successful children are also bullied, sometimes because others are jealous of them. Sometimes a child’s family circumstance or home life can be a reason for someone bullying them.

Disabled children can experience bullying because they seem an easy target and less able to defend themselves.

How to talk to your child about bullying

1. Choose the right time. Make sure you can give your child your full attention. They might feel more comfortable talking in the car when you’re not looking directly at them. Or they might prefer to do it at home. Be led by how they’re feeling.
2. Listen and reassure. Remain calm, even if you’re upset or angry. Your child might be feeling scared or embarrassed. You can help them respond to what’s happening in a way that feels right to them.
3. Help them get their feelings out. Some children respond well to having a journal to draw or write their feelings in. This can be useful if they’re confused or ashamed about what’s happening.
4. Get more advice, if needed. If you want more in-depth advice you can use the following link HERE

Let them know who to ask for help

If they don’t want to talk to you, suggest they chat with another trusted adult, such as a teacher or family member. You could also suggest they contact Childline. They can get in touch online or over the phone, and a trained counsellor will support them. They don’t have to give their name, and they can talk about anything that’s worrying them.

Help them relax and take time out.

Children and young people may lack confidence as a result of bullying. Remind them that it’s not their fault; they’re loved and valued. Help them find things to do that make them feel good. They might enjoy:

• listening to or playing music
• doing sport
• clubs or classes. Many libraries run free activities like games or Lego clubs.

Watch parents Catherine, David and Laura discuss how to navigate bullying.

How can the school help?

Students can complete the Anti-Bullying form below to report any form of bullying experienced at Stepney All Saints School. All responses remain anonymous, and the relevant year team(s) investigate accordingly.

Please note that this reporting form can only be accessed via your student Google login. Once logged in, the form will appear in full. 

https://www.stepneyallsaints.school/for-students/anti-bullying-report-form/

You can also contact the Head of Year who will be able to support.