Don't let the bullies beat you Bullying can happen to anyone . . .

0 Comments | Sunday Herald, The, Jan 23, 2005 | by Jenifer Johnston

By 14 though, we were all getting physically bigger and Tommy and I actually discussed one day how awful it would be if we hurt him.

We were thinking more about the consequences for us than him . . . I am really ashamed of the way I behaved because I've been a teaching assistant overseas, and I've seen what bullying can do to a young person's self-esteem.

If I met him now, even although its been years and years, I would apologise - I was young, but I was out of order.

What's their problem?

They are showing off, and trying to seem tough

They might have their own problems fitting in, or family problems at home

They might be frightened of getting bullied themselves, so get in there first

They might be jealous of you

Weird as it sounds, sometimes being friendly and kind to the bully can help stop the cycle

Who can help?

Check out these handy websites:

www. childline. org. uk www. bbc. co. uk/radio1/onelife

www. bullyfreezone. co. uk

www. antibullying. net/youngpeople. htm

And these organisations:

Childline - 0800 1111

The Sunday Surgery with Emma B and Dr Mark Hamilton is on Radio 1 on Sundays, 9pm till 11pm

Word on the street

Cara, 12 I think bullying is worse for girls than boys - girls can exclude you from things, and how doyou tell anyone about that?

Nicholas, 17 Telling a teacher is really important - and if you don't think they are taking you seriously tell them again, or tell a different teacher until the problem is sorted out.

John-Paul, 16 Bullies are cowards - if they didn't have so much time on their hands from having "nae mates" then they wouldn't pick on other people.

Anna, 16 I was bullied in first and second year by girls who were basically just really cruel about the way I looked, talked, anything really.

I did tell my mum and then the school moved me from that class to another one and the girls were punished. It just stopped them totally - I don't think they realised what they were doing was actually bullying, but it was.

Caroline, 12 I was really scared about starting high school because I'd heard you got bullied, but there hasn't been very much of it at my school.

I think the best way to avoid bullies is just to fit in the best you can and then, hopefully no-one will think to pick on you.

Simone, 13 I think because you are hanging out with your mates it is easy to talk about people behind their backs, but physical bullying - if you punched someone or beat them up - would get noticed a lot quicker.

Its wrong to be hurtful to other people, because you just have to think about how it feels when someone does it to you.