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Tips to combat bullying

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  1. Threats from girl in my street

    Dear Liz 

    I'm aged 14 and I'm not getting bullied at school but I get threats from an older girl who goes to my school and who lives in my street. We used to be really friendly but we fell out. I get nasty calls on my phone and takeaways and taxis sent to our house. I know she and her friends are behind it because sometimes she's said things in the text messages that only she would know. Do you think the school will do anything about her if my mum complains?
    Sarah

    Hello Sarah
    Schools don't usually do anything about bullying off the premises, that's because a High Court case a few years ago said they didn't have to, so although this girl goes to your school it's unlikely that the head teacher will...

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  2. Everyone has seen this horrible website which insults me

    Dear Liz, 

    There's a website everyone at school knows about where people have been posting insulting messages about me giving my name and also my school and the year I'm in. Lots of vile and untrue things have been said about me and I don't know what to do. My mum wants to get the police involved but I'm afraid it will make things worse. I don't know who is behind it or how to complain and get the postings removed.
    David

    Hello David,
    I can understand why you're so upset about this, Bullying UK has closed down several of these unpleasant websites inviting others to post abuse.

    Although this board has been set up by people who live in your area, it is hosted abroad. If you go to the '...

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  3. I'm very depressed and I've been self harming

    Dear Liz 

    My grades at school have gone right down and I'm bunking off when my mum's at work because I can't face all the lessons I have with the bullies. I'm being called names about my weight and I have nobody to go around with at break. When I sit down with my packed lunch the others get up and move away. I'm taking so much time off that my mum is going to find out soon. I've told my head of year and she spoke to them but they're still doing it. This is making me feel very depressed and I've self harmed a few times.
    Charlie

    Hello Charlie,
    I can understand why you don't want to go to school but if you take time off then you're damaging your chances of doing well in exams and that might...

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  4. I can't face school because of the bullies

    Dear Liz,

    I'm 14 and I can't face school any more. I want to move to a new one because it can't be any worse than this. I'm always on my own at break and I've got nobody to go around with. I've fallen out with my friends and they're going around with someone who used to bully me.
    Amarjit

    Hello Amarjit
    I can understand why you're so unhappy but there may be ways this can be sorted out.

    Moving to a new school isn't all that easy because the best ones are usually full and you may not get a place. You might end up at a less popular school which is further away from where you live and it can be hard to settle in when everyone else already has friends. It's also possible the bullies will have friends at...

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  5. Will I be bullied more when I change school?

    Dear Liz, 

    I've been having trouble with girls in my class in Year 6 for a long time and I'm worried it's going to get worse when we all move up to secondary school. I'm also afraid I'm going to get new bullies on to me too.
    Marie

    Hello Marie,
    It's natural to be worried and nervous about changing school because it can seem like a big step but your mum and dad can help you out with this.

    They can contact the head of the first year at your new school in the term before you start there and explain your concerns. Most schools don't want you to have a bad start to your new school life so they may be happy to make sure that you're not in the same form as the bullies.

    When term...

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  6. People call me names because I'm a different colour

    Dear Liz,

    I go to a school with not many pupils from different backgrounds so I stand out. I'm often called names, jokes are told about me and I'm told to go back to where I came from but this is my home and I was born here. My family don't know what's being said to me and I don't want to upset them by telling them. They don't speak English very well and they might not be able to sort it out for me.
    Jasbinder

    Hello Jasbinder,
    If these ignorant people are making nasty remarks about your background, colour and culture then this is racism. Try having a word with your class teacher at a time he or she isn't busy. Perhaps you could tell other...

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  7. People are bullying me on the school bus

    Dear Liz,

    There's a lot of fighting on my school bus and there's an older boy who keeps calling me names and having a go at me. My mum says she can't keep leaving work early to pick me up but I'm afraid what might happen. I live quite a way from the bus stop and I keep thinking the bullies can get me on the way home too.
    Andrew

    Hello Andrew,
    Schools can take action over bullying on the school bus. Your parents need to write to the head teacher about this problem.

    In 2004 the government said that schools could take action on the journey to and from school so your parents could mention this link to the school if they are not aware of it Here

    Try to sit near the driver or near other...

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  8. Bullying makes me so upset I want to die

    Dear Liz,

    I'm 14 in March and I'm being bullied constantly. I've had people hitting me and yesterday I had to go to hospital because I thought I had a broken finger. Please help me. I'm sick to death and sometimes I feel like killing myself. I wish I was dead. I have been to the doctor.
    Mike.

    Hello Mike,
    I can see that things are really bad for you, but killing yourself isn't the answer. Bullying Online can help you to get things sorted out, it may take time, but it can be done.

    I'm glad you've been to see the doctor because you must be very down about what's going on. Is it possible for one of your parents to email Bullying Online because you'll need their help to sort this out? It can be hard to...

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  9. Help me avoid bullies in the playground

    Dear Liz,

    I'm 9 and at primary school. When I'm playing football I get tripped up and they are always pushing me around and taking my dinner money. I often tell teachers about it because I've had a few injuries.
    Robert

    Hello Robert,
    I think you need to have some tactics to avoid problems. Stick to areas of school which you know are patrolled by staff because bullies are less likely to strike if there are a lot of people around.

    I know it's difficult if you like playing football but that will also mean they won't have access to your coat and dinner money. This is really a short term measure because their behaviour isn't right.

    Ask your mum or dad to write to your head teacher to...

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  10. People take the mick out of my illness

    Dear Liz,

    A few years ago I was diagnosed with diabetes. Most of my friends are all right about it but some of them still take the mick. It can be upsetting, what can I do about it?
    Peter

    Hello Peter,
    It must be hard when people make fun over something which you can't help. If this is unpleasant bullying you should tell your form teacher but if it is someone having a bit of fun perhaps you could sort it out yourself.

    I think there might be some mileage to be had about your heroism in having to test your blood every day. You could always say you'll give them a demo of pricking your finger to get blood out of it. My guess is that they'd suddenly find they had somewhere else they needed to...

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