Information for Parents and Carers

Bullying is intentional tormenting through physical, verbal, online or psychological ways. It can range from hitting, shoving, name-calling, threats and mocking to extorting money and possessions. Some people bully by shunning others and spreading rumours about them. Others use online means – social media, websites or electronic messaging to taunt others or hurt their feelings and those subjected to bullying are often threatened and made to feel intimidated and scared.

No-one deserves to be bullied. It is important to take bullying seriously and not just brush it off as something that young people have to “put up with.” Bullying is not ‘part of growing up’. It is not ‘kids being kids’ and is not an ‘unfortunate but unavoidable part of school life’.

Minimising a problem is not what caring adults do. Yes, young people can be spiteful but no caring adult should ever dismiss bullying as a “rite of passage” or tolerable fact of childhood. When they do, they violate a child’s trust and abdicate their role as a responsible adult. Bullying is cruel, unacceptable behaviour that can have a devastating effect on a person – full stop! The effects can be serious and affect a person’s sense of safety and self-worth. In severe cases, bullying has contributed to tragedies, such as self-harm and suicide.

If your child has plucked up the courage to tell you they are being bullied (and considering how humiliating it can be for kids to tell their parents about the bullying they endure from their peers, this is a very brave step), it is important to speak to your child’s teacher and report what has been going on.

As a parent, we understand that reaching out and asking for help is tough as you desperately hope to be able to protect your child on your own, but it is vital to work with the school to ensure what your child is going through is stopped and dealt with appropriately.