WHAT IS BULLYING?

Bullying is any form of intended hurtful behaviour inflicted on another person. Whether it is violence, name calling or threats, if you are intimidated by it then it is unacceptable and you need not suffer because of it.

The different types of bullying include :

• Name Calling

• Making things up to get you into trouble

• Any forceful physical contact from hitting to being shoved

• Taking things away from you

• Damaging your belongings

• Stealing your money

• Taking friends away from you

• Spreading rumours

• Threats and intimidation

• Making silent or abusive phone calls

• Sending you offensive texts

• Posting insulting messages on the internet or Instant Messenger

• Bullies can also frighten you enough to make you not want to go to school so you’ll pretend to be ill to avoid them.

The new Craze in the world of the bullies is ‘Happy Slapping’, a definite wrong description of the events that take place during one of these attacks.

The new form of assault, a victim is usually hit or punched while the bullies take pictures or record the attack with mobile phones, then circulate the footage via other mobile phones or place it on the internet.

Yet another cruel and callous way to inflict shame and hurt on another undeserved victim and it is lucky that no one has been killed so far. If you have suffered an attack such at this, don’t be ashamed or feel isolated, there are other people who have also been on the receiving end. It is a relatively new ‘craze’ so often the victims feel they cant tell anyone because either no one would believe them or that it was an isolated incident. It isn’t so please tell someone.