Previous page | Main ALOVE site Archive   Bullying ... : back to support articles page    Settings Being bullied is a horrible and damaging experience. Nearly everyone has been bullied at some time in their life. If you are being bullied, you may feel scared, vulnerable and alone. If you are a bully, you may feel that you have got yourself into a pattern of behaviour that you can’t get out of. Either way, you owe it to yourself and others to try and sort out the situation so that the bullying stops. For many people, bullying causes huge stress and anxiety and can affect every part of their lives. The important thing to realise is that you can have control over what is happening. Remember that no one deserves to be a victim of bullying. Chat You may have heard people say ‘stand up for yourself.’ That’s all very well, but often the braver thing to do is to tell someone you trust. You may feel strong enough to deal with what is happening to you, but others being bullied by the same person may not. Telling someone about bullying isn’t ‘grassing’ or telling tales. You and others have the right to be safe from attacks and harassment. Nobody can help you unless they know what is happening to you. Remember that you are valuable and precious. Even if you hate the way you are acting at the moment, or the things that are happening to you, God can help you to overcome it. The Bible says, ‘God defends the cause of the weak and maintains the rights of the poor and oppressed.’ (Psalm 82:3). Options/Help lines Check out what the Bible says, pray, talk to your youth leader and get someone to pray with you. There are other people who can help, such as: Childline – 0800 1111 confidential free 24-hour helpline NSPCC – 0800 800 500 confidential free 24 hour helpline The Samaritans – 0845 790 9090 confidential free 24 hour helpline Youth Access – 020 8772 9900 provides details of local youth counsellors, Mon-Fri 9 am – 5 pm. Kidscape – 0845 205 204 confidential advice, Mon – Fri., 10 am – 4 pm and on the web at www.kidscape.org.uk Part of the Big Issues series from Spring Harvest Written by Robin Rolls and Ems Hancock. : back to top : previous page Youthwork - The Partnership ... ALOVE, Youthwork Magazine, Youth For Christ, Spring Harvest and Oasis are working together to equip and resource the Church for effective youth work and ministry.