Read an interview with a young person who was badly bullied >>
When I was walking to school, a girl called Kealiegh in my class told me to piss off so I just ignored her. At the beginning of second lesson, when I walked into class, Kealiegh pulled me back by the hair and started to punch and kick me, The teacher tries to stop her but she got pushed away. A couple of support staff came and helped separate us. They took me and the story from me and Kealiegh and she got a warning. At this time I was in shock and my head, arms, legs and stomach hurt.
After school round about 6.30 I was walking down the street when I saw Kealiegh waiting outside my house for me. I tried to pretend she wasn't there. When I was about 2 or 3 metres away from my house Kealiegh walked in front of me which stopped me walking. I tried to walk past her but she kept getting in my way. After a couple of minutes of silence, she started to kick and punch me like she had that morning. I somehow managed to get away from her a tell my parents.
My whole body by now was aching and really painful, much worse than earlier.
I felt angry, confused and upset about all of this because Kealiegh and I were originally mates but then she started being nasty and it all went pear-shaped. She denied everything after that and started making up this rumour about when my Dad had gone out to sort things out, she had beaten him up as well which she couldn't have. She used to be my friend now she's my foe and having a go at me any chance she can get. I feel angry, upset, confused, shocked and really abused but I will not give in even if it feels my days are numbered.
Charlie had spent most of her life hiding in school bathrooms or not going to the dinner hall for dinner because of the gang that always picked on her. They would beat her up when she was walking home or on her way to class, leaving big bruises on her arms and body. Charlie hardly had any friends that lived near her so she had no reason to go outside. Charlie tried to tell teachers but everytime the gang got told off, she got beaten up. She told her parents, but they were always too busy with work to listen. Charlie knew there were only a few things she could do, which were, either to move schools which was very expensive, or to die. During the Easter holidays Charlie tried many ways to self-harm, but none of them stopped the pain. When she got back to school, she missed the first lesson to jump off the school steps to the bottom. She jumped and died two days later in hospital with head injuries too severe to treat.
Don't let it get to this stage >>
Physically bullying like this is assault and therefore a criminal offence. In the first instance, you need to try and tell someone you trust about this. Physical and sexual assault, theft and text and email harassment are all serious offences and if the people bullying you are doing any of these things then the police can help you to stop it. Do not be afraid to call 999 - it is their job to help you.
Most bullying is sustained over a period of time, and if this is the case with you, make a safety plan.