If you are being bullied

You will know what it feels like to be bullied. You probably feel hurt, scared or unhappy. Some young people who are bullied at school get so worried that they cannot work very well. Sometimes they miss school altogether to get away from the problem.

If you are bullied you may sometimes think that it's all your own fault, as though there's something wrong with you or that you're no good. Sometimes it might feel as though things will never get better.

The bullying must stop. You should not be made to feel this way. You must believe that something can be done. You can do something to make a difference. You will need help from someone.

The first step might be the hardest but you must do it.

• Tell someone about the bullying. You might choose a good friend, a teacher, a parent or carer
• Talk to them about the bullying or write it down
• Explain exactly what is happening and who is involved
• Be prepared to let your parents visit the school. They will know what to do
• Find other sources of help from agencies such as Childline ( www.childline.org.uk) and Kidscape ( www.kidscape.org.uk)
• Remind yourself that you shouldn't be made to feel so unhappy. The bullies have no right to make you feel this way
• Your teachers won't always know that bullying is taking place in school. They would want to put a stop to it. Even if you don't want teachers to become directly involved, they may have good ideas to involve other pupils. Give teachers a chance to help you
• Don't give up.