ADVICE FOR PUPILS
Nobody has the right to hurt other people by hitting them, kicking
them, calling them names, spreading rumours about them or by doing
anything else which is intended to upset them. Bullies try to justify their
actions by saying that it is their victim's fault for being different. They
may pick on someone who is tall or small, fat or thin, or wears glasses,
or has a different accent, or another religion, or is shy or clever, or
good-looking or disabled or whatever. Any excuse will do, and if there
is no real difference then the bullies will invent one. If this is happening
to you, tell yourself that it is not your fault, and that it is the bullies who
need to change, not you.

WHAT TO DO
• Talk to someone you can trust: a teacher, parent, friend or relative.
Be persistent. If the first person you talk to ignores you, don't give
up; try someone else.
• If you can, write down every thing the bullies have done or said to
you, and try to write down how you feel. Be careful to write down
only things which really happen. Discuss this with the person who
will listen.
• Most importantly, do something. Sometimes bullying stops quickly,
but doing nothing means it may continue until someone is seriously
upset or hurt. That could be you, or the bullies could find new
victims, if they are not challenged.

WHAT NOT TO DO
• Don't try to deal with the problem on your own; there is nothing
wrong with asking for help.
• Don't hit the bullies.You might end up being accused of bullying
yourself.
• Always tell the truth about what has happened. Don't exaggerate.
If a small part of what you are saying is shown to be untrue, then it
throws everything else into doubt.
• Don't believe all the lies the bullies tell about you.
• 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 stop you telling!