What is bullying?

Bullying is when a person is habitually cruel or overbearing, especially to smaller or weaker people by using physical or emotional abuse. In extreme cases prejudice-motivated bullying and harassment can also be considered a hate crime which is punishable by law.

Bullying can come in several forms, including:

• being called names
• being teased
• being pushed or pulled about
• having money and other possessions taken or messed about with
• having rumours spread about you
• being ignored and left out
• being hit, kicked or physically hurt in any way
• being threatened or intimidated

Different forms of bullying

• Verbal - It is not uncommon for people to experience some form of verbal bullying (being called names or insulted) at some point in their live, however, whatever age you are being called names or insulted can have an effect on your wellbeing.
• Homophobic - bullying someone because they are a different sexual orientation from you. Saying that someone is 'gay' or using words like 'gay' as an insult.
• Racist - treating people differently because of their race, the colour of their skin, where they are from or what they believe in and using offensive words that describe race to bully people.
• Sexist- treating people differently based on whether they are female or male. For example, thinking that boys are better than girls.
• Sexual - Sexual bullying is a type of bullying and harassment that occurs in connection with sex. It can be physical, verbal, or emotional. Examples include spreading rumours of a sexual nature, abusive, sexualised name calling and unwelcome looks and comments about someone's appearance or attractiveness; either face to face or to others
• Disabilist - treating someone differently if they are disabled, or using offensive language to describe people who are disabled and using this to bully people.
• Lookist - bullying someone because they look different such as if they have ginger hair or wear glasses.
• Classist - deciding that someone is from a particular social class - usually if they are seen as being rich or poor - and bullying them because of this. For example, calling somebody a, 'chav' or, 'snob'.
• Age - treating someone unfairly because of their age eg. not employing anybody over the age of 60.
• Religion - discriminating against someone due to their set of beliefs.

Remember it is not your fault and there are people to help you, see our contacts for bullying