Most of us have either been bullied or have seen someone else be bullied. Maybe you even wonder if you might have bullied someone yourself. Whatever the circumstance, we each have a role to play in stopping it from happening again.
Bullies are counting on bystanders doing just that - standing by. If you don't speak up, you are actually siding with the bully. Remember that often the best way to help is to go and tell an adult.
That's okay. No one should put themselves in an unsafe situation. How ELSE can you lend a hand when bullying happens?
If you need help telling, take a friend along.
Bullying can happen anywhere - at school, at the playground or at sporting events, even at a friend's house.
Use your judgment about whether or not you feel safe enough to tell the bully to stop. If not, find an adult and get help.
No matter where the bullying happens, you should talk to your parents about bullying that you see or know about. Ask them for their ideas about how to help.
Kids who are bullied deserve to feel safe and welcome at school and in their neighborhoods. All kids do!
TAKE A STAND. LEND A HAND. STOP BULLYING NOW!
Bullying happens when someone hurts or scares another person on purpose. The person being bullied has a hard time defending himself or herself. Usually, bullying happens over and over.
Sometimes bullying is easy to notice, such as with hitting or name calling, and other times it's hard to see, like with leaving a person out or saying mean things behind someone's back. Both boys and girls bully, and both boys and girls get bullied. Bullying is not fair, and it hurts.
Telling is very important! Reporting that someone is getting bullied or hurt in some other way is NOT "tattling." Adults at school can help. Ask them to help keep you safe after telling. Explain to your friends that bullying is NOT fair and encourage them to join in helping! Everyone deserves a safe school environment.