Bullying — under 16s

The following script gives information and details of organisations that can help if you are being bullied, or if you are the one bullying someone else. The phonelines to some of these organisations are very busy, but please keep trying.

Bullying is always wrong. No one should have to put up with it, and you should never blame yourself for what is happening or has happened. Bullying comes in all shapes and guises, from teasing to threats and physical violence. Bullies also come in all shapes and forms, including girls and boys of all ages, as well as adults or people in your family. Girls sometimes bully boys and younger children bully older children. This is nothing to be ashamed of and it is never your fault if someone bullies you.

It is important that you get help to stop the bullying, especially as it can be really difficult to do anything about it on your own. Can you think of someone you feel comfortable talking to? Perhaps there is someone at school or in your family, or one of your teachers you could talk to. If you are at school, your school should have a set of rules about bullying and an anti-bullying policy.

Children and young people up to 18 can speak to someone at ChildLine about anything that is causing them distress. Call ChildLine on 0800 11 11 (any time of the day or night). Calls are free and confidential. The lines can be really busy, so you may need to ring a few times before you get through. There’s a useful factsheet about bullying on their website at www.childline.org.uk.

In Scotland, ChildLine has a special anti-bullying helpline on 0800 44 11 11 (weekdays 3.30pm-9.30pm).

The NSPCC free helpline is on 0808 800 5000 (24 hours a day) and receives many calls from children about all sorts of things that are making them unhappy, including being bullied. If you have access to the web, there’s useful information at www.nspcc.org.uk.

Young Minds has a free booklet for young people going through a hard time at school. To get a copy of In School, Stay Cool, send a stamped self-addressed envelope marked ‘In School, Stay Cool’ to Young Minds, 102-108 Clerkenwell Road, London EC1M 5SA or visit their website at www.youngminds.org.uk.

You have already made an important step by accessing this information.

There's a Channel 4 website with lots of information on a variety of topics, and the opportunity to ask confidential questions online in the Just Ask section. Log on to www.channel4.com/health/children.

This message has been prepared and is updated regularly by Programme Support at Channel 4.