POLICE ASSOCIATION OF NOVA SCOTIA 143 Are You a Victim of Bullying? Bullying is scary and embarrassing. It can make you feel as if it’s your fault - it’s not! Here are a few things to remember: • THIS WILL END. You will not have to feel this bad forever! • Stay calm, bullies LOVE a reaction so don’t give them one. • If you know a kid who doesn’t like you, then stay away from them. • Don’t fight back; you may get hurt or make the situation worse. • Try to calmly withdraw from the situation. • Don’t fight back or get mad. It’ll make the bullying worse. Bullies try to make kids mad so don’t let them. • Avoid bad situations where bullies are and being alone. Walk to school earlier or later or walk with brothers, sisters, neighbors, or friends. Take different paths to school to keep away from the bully. Don’t be alone in the hallways, restrooms, empty classrooms, or playgrounds. • Stay within sight of teachers and grown-ups when you are at school. • Hang out with friends. Bullies pick on kids who are alone. • Join groups and find friends who like the same things you do. • Look around the school. You’re probably not the only kid being bullied. Make friends with other kids who are alone. Maybe you can help other kids. • Sit near the bus driver on the school bus. • Don’t get mad, get funny. It shows that you’re not scared and it can diffuse the situation. • Project confidence. Check out the way you act. Slouching, looking at the ground or your feet, and fidgeting show that you’re not sure of yourself. Hold your head up and stand up straight. Look confident. Bullies pick on you if they think you are afraid of them. • Don’t act scared. If you Believe in yourself, other kids will notice. • Think of things to say ahead of time. Keep them short and don’t say anything mean (don’t be a bully yourself). • Don’t bring expensive stuff or lots of money to school. Bullies pick on kids who bring things they can take. It’s not worth getting hurt. Things can be replaced but you can’t! • If the bully won’t stay away from you, then IGNORE THE BULLY and WALK AWAY. The bully wants you to get mad so don’t. It’s harder for the bully to bully you if you are not there. • Don’t be afraid to tell an adult you trust. Telling is not tattling! If you are afraid to tell your parents, then tell your grandparents, brothers or sisters, or a grown-up you trust. Even if you just want to talk about it, they will listen. What You Should Tell Others? • WHAT happened to you and WHAT you did. • WHO bullied youand WHO sawit happen. • WHERE it happened and HOW often it happened. • Write down everything that happened to you in your diary. Don’t forget to write about things that other kids and grown-ups did for you. • GET HELP. Talk to a teacher. It’s their job to stop the bullying. If you are scared, then take a friend along. Tell your teacher when the bully is not around. If you can’t tell them in person, then write a note. • See your doctor or school nurse. Ask them to write down any scrapes or bruises and show it to a grown-up. • Keep a diary. Sometimes it helps to remember the good things that happened. “No One Can Make You Feel Inferior Without Your Consent” –Eleanor Roosevelt
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