Anti-Bullying Week 12/11/2018

We all know that bullying is unacceptable; we all know it’s wrong, but it still happens, and it happens a lot more than we think.

It’s not an easy subject to read about, let alone talk about; but it’s something that needs to be discussed. Most of us have experienced bullying in one form or another, in fact 40% of young people have been bullied within the past 12 months, which is an uncomfortable statistic to look at.

Bullying is defined as:

“…the repeated behaviour which is intended to hurt someone either emotionally or physically, and is often aimed at certain people because of their race, religion, gender or sexual orientation or any other aspect such as appearance or disability”

TYPES OF BULLYING

Verbal; Name calling, for example, or insults, threats or being intimidated
Physical; Things such as damaging property, tripping you up, or even hitting or pushing
Social; This could be anything from spreading rumours, being left out or being harassed
Cyber Bullying; Such as leaving abusive comments, fueling gossip or pretending to be someone else online

Regardless of what form it comes in; bullying is something that should never be accepted or given the time of day.

Bullying has an incredibly damaging effect on those who are on the receiving end of it. Linked to many negative outcomes including effects on mental health, bullying affects beyond your day-to-day life. No one deserves to be made to feel that way. No one deserves to be bullied.

ANTI-BULLYING WEEK – CHOOSE RESPECT

Anti-Bullying Week aims to raise awareness of the fact that bullying is a behaviour choice. This week is hoping to show that making a choice to bully someone is completely unacceptable. Running with the theme of respect, Anti-Bullying Week hopes to start a conversation about the root cause of bullying, why people do it and how that can be avoided or addressed.

By making a real effort to respect to those around you, even if you don’t sometimes agree with their views, we can create a more positive work/college environment and stamp out bullying.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

IF YOU’RE BEING BULLIED

Remember it’s not your fault
There is support for you; online, at home or in college.
Reach out; talk to someone about what is happening, whether it’s a friend, teacher, colleague; let someone know.

Here at Kidderminster College, we are committed to wiping out bullying, it’s a behaviour that never be tolerated on or off campus. If you