What can I do if I am being bullied?
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Bullying page 04

What can I do if I am being bullied?


Without question, coping with bullying is difficult and challenging.

But remember, YOU ARE NOT THE PROBLEM YOU have a right to feel safe, secure, and good about yourself.


Things To Do AS SOON AS Someone Starts Bullying You


What you actually do depends on both the specifics of the situation and also on how much confidence and courage you have at that moment. Here are some possibilities:

• Stand up straight and take a deep breath

• Look around to see if help is available; also to get a more complete picture of what is going on

• Count to 10 –20 –30 to get a grip on your emotions. Try hard NOT to give the person bullying you the major reaction he or she is looking for

• Silently tell yourself you’re a strong person and WILL get through this


Consider:

• Agreeing if, for example, you’re called “freckle face” and you really do have a lot of freckles

• Saying “Thank you. I was wondering if anyone was going to notice!” if teased about something obvious, like having dropped the ball, aced the test, or ripped your shirt

• Giving a quickie comeback (for example, saying, “Huh? What?” more than once, if necessary, plus something else unexpected that fits the situation and throws the person off guard)

• Cracking a joke, if you can quickly think of something funny to say

• Ignoring the person – though, be aware, this can sometimes anger people and make them bully even harder.

• Telling them to STOP! in a non-threatening, matter-of-fact tone of voice (For example, “I really don’t appreciate that. Stop it.”)

• Shouting “HELP!” loudly if you seriously need others to rescue you from danger

• Walking away

• Running, if you think you’re in imminent physical danger


Things To Do AFTER Someone Has Bullied You


• Document what just happened. Write it down and put it in a safe place. Be sure to include the names of everyone who saw what went on

• Talk about it with an adult you trust. If you’re afraid to tell an adult or don’t know who to tell, ask a friend to go with you

• Make a point of hanging out with others, especially when in places where bullying tends to occur (bus stop, playground, school cafeteria, etc.)

• Reread the Conflict Resolution and Decision-Making Learning Centers for ideas on how to communicate and act more assertively

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