Skip over main navigation
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
Bully Zero
 
  • Search
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
Book now Donate
Menu
  • About Bullying
    • What is Bullying?
    • Online Bullying
    • Workplace Bullying
    • Responding to Bullying
    • Bullying Myths and Facts
    • Statistics and figures
  • Who we are
    • About us
    • Our Story
    • Our Strategic Plan
    • Our Impact
    • Our Patron
    • Our People
    • Our Partners
  • What we do
    • School Programs
    • Workplace Programs
    • Culture of Excellence
    • National Bullying Prevention Week
    • No More Harm Conference
  • News and Events
    • Latest News
    • Media Releases
  • Get involved
    • Ways to Donate
    • Become a Hiro
    • Fundraise for us
    • Corporate Sponsorship
  • Shop
  • Contact us
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • Responding to Bullying
  1. About Bullying
  2. Responding to Bullying

Responding to Bullying

Being bullied can make you feel a lot of things. You may notice feelings of loneliness, fear, stress, shame or rejection. It may feel like there’s nothing you can do to make it stop. It’s important to remember that being bullied is not your fault. There’s nothing wrong with you, and you don’t have to go through it alone.

There are lots of reasons why someone might bully others. Reasons can include: 

  • To make themselves popular or to gain attention.
  • Because they’re jealous of you.
  • To look tough or feel powerful.
  • Because they’re being bullied themselves.
  • To escape their own problems.
  • Not understand what they are doing or the impact it has on you. 

Whatever the reasons, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone.

What to do if you’re being bullied?

Being bullied is an absolutely terrible thing to go through, regardless of your age – and the effects can sometimes stay with you for years afterwards. Even after the bullying stops, overcoming the effects of it is one of the hardest things for a person to do.  However, as difficult as it seems, the bullying can be stopped – and these feelings can be overcome.

There’s always something you can do. This includes:

Don’t keep it to yourself

If you’re being bullied, or you think someone you know is being bullied, don’t keep it to yourself and hope it will just ‘go away’.

Sadly, bullying very rarely just stops by itself. You may be feeling embarrassed, isolated and scared, but you need to tell someone you trust. Keeping things to yourself will also just make you feel more stressed, distracted and disengaged. This could be a trusted friend, family member, work colleague or teacher – don’t try and face it alone.

It’s important to remember that being bullied is not your fault.

Don’t give up after telling one person

If you have told someone that you’re being bullied and they haven’t done anything about it, you need to tell someone else. For example, if you’re in school and you tell a teacher or school wellbeing officer about what’s happening or if you are in a workplace and you tell your line manager or HR department, don’t be afraid to ask them what they’re going to do to help you. It is their job to keep you safe. Keep telling people about the bullying until someone does help you.

Keep a record 

If bullying is happening on your phone or the internet, keep messages and posts that hurt you or write down what happened. Serious bullying is a crime and keeping records can help to evidence what you are experiencing.  

Find support

The most important thing to keep in mind when you’re being bullied is that you don’t have to go through it on your own. Keeping it to yourself can mean that the bullying doesn’t stop, and that you continue to feel bad about it.

In extreme bullying situations, you may feel so bad that you have harmful or suicidal thoughts. If this happens to you, make sure that you reach out to triple zero (000) for immediate support. Other telephone support services include: Kids Helpline and Lifeline. They can help you find support and resources to get through this experience.

Published: 1st August, 2020

Updated: 13th October, 2020

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Latest

  • Wheatley warriors

    To help end bullying for good!

  • Light4Change

    Light4Change

  • Become a Hiro

    Become a Hiro

    Our national volunteer program, Hiro, draws on the voices, passion and energy of those who are passionate to help end bullying. Become a Hiro today.

  • Em's SUPERHIRO Wednesday

    Em's SUPERHIRO Wednesday

    As a Ms Australia World Universal National Finalist I am working to raise funds and awareness of the destruction bullying causes and want to be a part of the change to help put a stop to bullying!

Most read

  • HIRO

    HIRO

    ONE INDIVIDUAL CAN CHANGE THE ACTIONS OF EVERYONE

  • What is Bullying?

    What is Bullying?

    It’s more than just an disagreement or single act of dislike.

  • Accessibility

  • Responding to Bullying

    Responding to Bullying

    Bullying can cause lots of distress and suffering and its effects can last for a long time. There’s always something you can do.

  • Our Ambassadors

    Our Ambassadors

  • Donate

    Donate

    Bully Zero has committed to reducing bullying in Australia. You can help us achieve this goal by making a single or regular donation today.

  • Privacy Policy

    PRIVACY POLICY - place holder page

  • Cookie Policy

  • Our Story

    Our Story

    Equipped with the desire to make a difference, a group of passionate individuals joined forces in 2012 to create Bully Zero.

  • Terms and Conditions

National Bullying Prevention Week Appeal

National Bullying Prevention Week Appeal

Help us fund the roll out of bullying education programs to 100 schools across Australia. Read more

Donate Fundraise

Published: 26th August, 2020

Updated: 14th October, 2020

Author: Janet Grima

Sign up for our newsletter

Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please enter your email address Please enter a valid email address (e.g. [email protected])

Head Office: 72 Hargrave Avenue, Essendon Fields, Victoria, 3041 | Tel: 03 9094 3718 | Email: [email protected]

Links

  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Follow us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin