Bullying in School

Some things are not fun to talk about, but they are absolutely necessary to talk about. Anybody who has ever been the victim of vicious gossip, threats, or violent outbursts will tell you that bullying is serious and potentially devastating.

Bullying is widespread, and it can come in many forms. Bullying can be different for different people. Statistics show that females are more likely to suffer embarrassing harassment in the form of gossip and rumors, while males are more likely to fall victim to physical attacks.

So what can you do if you are the victim of bullying? I’ve provided tips that are taken from some of the best Internet resources.

Stop Bullying Now, offered by the US Department of Health and Human Services, offers tips for students who feel victimized. Some advice from this site:

• Always tell a trusted adult
• Stay in a group
• Stand up to the bully only in a way that feels safe
• Ignore on-line bullies

Mayo Clinic’s site for dealing with bullying provides advice for parents who suspect their children are being bullied:

• Learn as much as possible about the situation
• Contact school officials
• Know when to seek professional help

The National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center adds tips for school officials:

• Form a support system with a mix of parents and staff
• Increase supervision in “hot spots”
• Devote some class time to bullying prevention

Bullies like to find students who are likely to stay quiet and not fight back. If you feel you are being bullied, find an adult you can trust and ask for help. Keep asking if you don’t feel like it helps the first time.