Pelswick

Fran Welland, assistant producer at the BBC, on how to cope when bullying gets physical

How did the bullying begin?

I was about 10 years old when people started threatening me at school - they would follow me home and jump me on the narrow path at the corner of the playing field where no-one could see. The thought of going up there now makes me shiver.

Why do you think you were picked on?

I always found it hard to fit in with everyone. I'd end up spending time with the class 'swot' and wish I was interesting to the popular ones. Now, I wish I could have just realised that I enjoyed her company, I liked her and she liked me. It got worse when one day, I saw a couple of popular girls hiding from a teacher at break. The teacher saw me and asked if I knew where they were. I glanced under the benches, they were discovered and from then on, I was a snitch and easy game.

How did you react?

I was terrified. It was the first and only time in my life when I've had the threat of real violence over me.

Did you get any help from anyone?

My sister was in the big school, next door. She found me in tears one day and I told her what was happening. Bless her, she came down on her own the next day at dinner break and told them that if they picked on me, she'd pick on them. It stopped and later in my school life, those same girls wanted to be friends with me.

What would you say to anyone being bullied now?

If the bullying is violent, or you fear that it might become violent, tell someone older who you trust - a teacher, if you can, or an older brother/sister. Through it all, make positive choices about your life - whose company you enjoy, what music you like, what telly programmes to watch, what subjects you enjoy - then live them, no matter what anyone else says. If you take part in things you don't like at the expense of those you do, just for the sake of appearances, then you'll be even more miserable. Remember no-one has the right to make you feel frightened or useless. Grit your teeth, ignore it or tell someone who can change it: don't let it change you.

Dealing with bullies:
• Mat Fraser
• Lucy Williams

Being a veggie:
• Kat Koukourakis

Saving the planet:
• Mike Childs

Direct action:
• Barbara Lisicki

My first crush:
• June Sarpong

Judo champ:
• Ian Rose

Winning gold:
• Emma Brown

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