Bullying – where to get help

Bullying will always exist in some form or other but it needn’t continue, unless everyone turns a blind eye to what’s going on. There are ways to combat bullying.

Anti-bullying tactics

For anti-bullying to be successful, everyone has to get involved. This means getting people to agree that bullying is wrong and commit to finding ways to stop it, including, for example, running workshops, doing exercises, or working with your school or college to put in place ways of managing bullying. Anti-bullying training usually means:

• learning about how people get along, which can be very interesting and exciting, and look good to future employers too
• Changing how you think about conflict
• Learning how to mediate (help people sort out arguments without violence)
• Creating materials like these posters about anti-bullying, anti-cyberbullying, and personal safety, making leaflets, or contributing to training materials, policies and websites.

You might also find the info about In conflict with others? useful

Local anti-bullying activities

Oxfordshire County Council's Anti-Bullying and Healthy Oxfordshire Schools teams have been working together to provide training, guidance and locally developed resources to help schools and other settings plan for Anti-Bullying Week and develop good practice all year round.

Anti-Bullying Pupil Voice Competitions: pupils from schools around Oxfordshire competed to produce the most effective anti-bullying media product, from YouTube videos to posters.

Get help right away

Are bullies driving you to despair? No-one to talk to? Try one of these websites:

• Aik Saath helps young people deal with conflict in effective and non-violent ways.
• Beat Bullying – a website with lots of information, videos and online mentors to help you beat your bullying problem
• Childline has a special section of information and advice devoted to bullying. Counsellors are always there to listen and you can call them on 0800 1111 – last year bullying was the most common reason why children called.
• Childnet International, a non-profit organisation working with others to “help make the Internet a great and safe place for children"s  
• Cybermentors - a website that offers information, help and advice on bullying, both online and off, with all mentors being young too.
• Don’t stick it is a website for young people with learning difficulties with advice for their parents or carers.
• Get Connected can help with most problems you may have. Visit the site, call the helpline (0808 808 4994) or e-mail for help: help@getconnected.org.uk.
• Gok's Teens: The Naked Truth. Gok Wan gives troubled teens the advice, confidence and self-belief they need to tackle their issues and anxieties  including bullying
• Thinkuknow has tips on how to be safe while you are online.
• Young Stonewall has lots of info and resources on how schools can tackle homophobic bullying
• Older young people might also find it helpful to talk to the Samaritans
  Please note that we are not responsible for the contents of other websites.
• thel-project.com aims to raise awareness about the effects of LGBT bullying, to give hope to those suffering from it, and to raise money to help combat it
   

You can also contact Jo Brown, Anti-Bullying Co-ordinator, for further information on 01865 815639 or e-mail jo.brown@oxfordshire.gov.uk.

If you’re worried about bullying please tell someone you trust or phone Childline on 0800 1111.