Bullying

Bullying can seriously affect your child and finding out that your child is being bullied is a stressful and distressing experience.  It is natural for a parent to feel anger, confusion and guilt.

Bullying is not just being hit and can involve many forms of abuse including physical, verbal, emotional, racist remarks and cyberbullying.

Some children are good at hiding their feelings and your child may find it hard to tell you that they are being bullied.  The first you may know of the problem is when your child suddenly doesn't want to go to school.   

The impact of bullying can frequently be underestimated.  It can cause considerable distress to children, to the extent that it affects their health and development or, at the extreme, causes them significant harm (including self-harm).  

If you think your child is being bullied in school or in a community group they should have their own anti-bullying policy and should be approached directly.  The worst thing to do is to over-react and it is important that you listen to your child.

If you have concerns about a child's welfare visit the Concerned? page.