Bullying of any kind is unacceptable in Enniskillen Royal Grammar School. Bullying hurts. No-one deserves to be a victim of bullying. If you are being bullied, or know that someone else is, this should be reported right away, and it will be investigated promptly, sensitively and effectively. Not telling means the victims will continue to suffer and the bully will continue, probably, to bully other pupils. We all have a responsibility to make sure that bullying is not allowed to occur in our school.
Bullying can be:
Physical: hitting, kicking, pushing, making gestures, punching or any use of violence
Verbal: name calling, teasing, insulting, sarcasm, racial taunts or gestures, sexual harassment, homophobic or sectarian remarks, writing unkind notes, spreading rumours, threats
Emotional: being unfriendly, excluding, tormenting, looks, pressurizing anti-social behaviour, taking or hiding belongings/money
Cyber: all areas of internet, such as email & internet chat room misuse, mobile phone threats by text messaging & calls and misuse of associated technology, i.e. camera & video facilities
What can you do if you are being bullied?
If someone is bullying you, remember that it is not your fault and there are people who can help you.
• Try not to let the bully know that he/she is making you feel upset.
• Try to ignore them or get away from them as quickly as you can.
• Be assertive – stand up to them, look at them directly in the eye, tell them to stop and mean it.
• Stay in a group; bullies usually pick on individuals.
• Tell someone you can trust – it can be a teacher, a learning support assistant, a parent, a friend, another pupil, a brother, a sister or a relative.
• If you are scared, ask a friend to go with you when you tell someone.
• Keep a record of what’s been happening and refer to it when you tell someone.
• Keep on speaking out until someone listens and helps you.
• Don’t suffer in silence.
• Don’t blame yourself for what is happening.
• Call a helpline.
What can you do if you see someone else being bullied?
• Don’t smile or laugh at the situation.
• Don’t rush over and take the bully on yourself.
• Don’t be made to join in.
• If safe to do so, encourage the bully to stop bullying.
• If you can, let the bully know you do not like his or her behaviour.
• Let the victim(s) know that you are going to get help.
• Tell a member of staff as soon as you can.
• Try and befriend the person being bullied.
• Encourage the person to talk to someone and get help.
• Ask someone you trust about what to do.
• Call a helpline for some advice.
Here are some useful websites:
NI Anti-Bullying Forum www.niabf.org.uk
CEOP www.thinkuknow.co.uk
