Safe Parenting Handbook (PDF 1.07 Mb) - Department of Health ...

WARNING SIGNSChildren have the right not to be hurtBullying behaviour is unacceptableBullying can happen to any child at any age“It happens mostdays. They call me smelly andfat. They made me give themmoney again yesterday.They’re in the same class andAct immediately if you think your child is being bulliedChildren need ways to protect themselves and seek helpAdvise your child to run, yell and tellthey’re always laughing at me.They said if I tell it will be tentimes worse. Sometimes Idon’t go to school… I can’tstand it anymore.”the real storyBullying is a frightening experience. It can isolateand damage a child or young person’s selfconfidence.Some ongoing bullying can havenegative long-term effects on children, leading todepression and even suicidal thoughts and actions.• Bullying is the repeated abuse of a child byone or several people• Bullying can happen anywhere but mostcommonly it happens in school8Children may runaway or not attendschool. They may notalways be able to tellyou if something iswrong. Note changesin their moods,behaviour andphysical appearancesfor no obviousreason. Also yourchild may haveinjuries with noreasonableexplanation for them.ACTIONWHAT TO SAYSee the headteacher Refuse to put upat your child’s with bullying. Walkschool to get his/her away, tell an adultsupport and to or friend and avoidensure appropriate fighting. Parents -action is taken. listen to your child,If bullying is reassure and behappening outside there for them.school, considercontacting thefamily of the childwho is bullying andtry to find a way towork together tosort it out.PREVENTIONTalk to your childabout their schoolday. Teach yourchild to respectothers from a youngage. Teach yourchild that prejudiceand bullying areunacceptablebehaviours.CONTACTS• Your child’steacher/headteacher• The Education andLibrary Board foryour area(see page 44)• PSNI028 9065 0222• Parents AdviceCentre (helpline)080 8801 0722• Kidscape(parents’ helpline)08451 205 204School days are a time when the influence ofother children is very important and fitting in isseen as essential. If children are viewed asdifferent for any reason, they can be picked onand bullied. Sadly, we still live in a society inwhich to be different in any way can meanridicule and bullying (often copied fromparents/adults) and this ensures that prejudiceswill continue into the next generation. It is crucialto be alert to the possibility of bullying and tomake sure that you know the tell-tale signs.You may think that your child is unlikely to bebullied but the reality is that bullying canhappen at any time and to any child.Bullies who continually harm other childrenneed support and help as well. They may haveexperienced difficulties of their own at home,which may have led to their actions. Reportingconcerns may help them to get help as well.• Bullying can take many forms, fromverbal/emotional abuse to harassmentand physical attack• Bullies are not always older than the childthey harmIf your child tells you about a friend or any otherchild who is being bullied - listen carefully andtake this seriously. That child may not be able tosay for themselves what is happening. Do not beafraid to seek advice (see Action point)All schools in Northern Ireland are required toinclude, within their discipline policy,measures to prevent all forms of bullying.However, school action alone cannot guaranteesuccess and so it is important that parents andschools work together.If you are not satisfied with the way your child’sschool is dealing with the matter, you can getsupport from the Education and Library Boardfor your area.9