If someone you know is being bullied they need your help. Others respect you if you stand up for someone who is being bullied.
How are they feeling?
If a person is being bullied, they are probably feeling some or all of these:
- sad
- frightened and lonely
- like running away
- not wanting to go to school.
How you can help
Sometimes people don't say or do anything because they're afraid they will be bullied as well. But if you don't do anything the bullying will only continue.
Don't stand by and let bullying happen at your school! Talk to your teachers about doing something about bullying.
You may not be able to stop the bullying yourself but you can help.
What you should do
As long as you feel safe when you see the bullying happening, you could:
- walk away and tell a teacher right away
- tell the person who is bullying that you will get a teacher if they don't stop
- encourage your friends to walk away or tell the person to stop
- help the person who is being bullied to get away and go somewhere safe.
If you don't think it's safe for you to stop the bullying there are other things you can do:
- help a friend or classmate who is being bullied
- tell them that bullying is not okay and they didn't do anything wrong
- ask them if they want help to get it stopped
- tell the teacher about it
- try to make sure your friend is not alone when they might get bullied
- ask the person who is being bullied to join your group or game
- walk away as people who bully like others to watch
- tell the person bullying you don't think what they do is cool or funny.
Support services who can help
If you or someone you know need someone to talk to, for any reason, about anything, you can:
- visit eHeadspace
- call Lifeline on 13 11 14
- call Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800, 24 hours a day.
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