What is bullying?
Are you or someone you know being called names; being pushed, hassled or threatened; being beaten up, spat at or kicked; having your things taken or damaged; or being made fun of or called names by anyone? If the answer is Yes, that is bullying. This includes any name-calling or threats received via text message, emails or social networking sites.
Bullying often is a criminal offence. Report it.
What is harassment?
Harassment is any unwelcome comments (written or spoken) or conduct which violates an individual’s dignity and/or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.
Harassment can take many forms including violence, threats, abuse, and damage to property. It can involve verbal abuse and name calling, offensive graffiti or posts and can be received via text message, emails or social networking sites.
It may cause physical injury, mental stress, anxiety, or insecurity. It can also occur for a variety of reasons, including race, religious belief, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.
Harassment is a criminal offence. If you are being harassed report it.
What can I do about it?
- Discussing your problems will make a difference and help you to think through how to sort them out.
- Let someone know what is happening – friends, parents, a carer, a teacher, an organisation or the police.
- Fill out a self-reporting form on this website.
- Report what is happening online, using the ‘Reporting online’ facility.
Tell someone if you are being bullied or harassed, or know someone who is, and if it is because of disability, gender identity, race, religion or sexual orientation. Don’t be afraid to tell someone and don’t suffer in silence: a list of support organisations is included on the ‘Organisations that can help’ page.
How will the Police treat a bullying or harassment incident?
Don’t be afraid to report bullying or harassment to the police. You will be taken seriously. If the bullying or harassment is targeted at you because of your disability, gender identity, race, religion or sexual orientation, this type of incident is a ‘hate incident’ or ‘hate crime’. What you tell the police will be dealt with sensitively and professionally.