spotting the signs of bullying

The behaviour of a child may indicate if they are being bullied. If your child displays any of the signs listed below bullying could possibly be responsible, and it would be worth discussing the subject of bullying with your child.

Children may:

• be scared of walking to and from school
• begin a pattern of lateness arriving at school
• change their usual route to school
• beg you to drive them to school
• not want to go to school
• feel ill when its time for school
• begin truanting
• begin to let their school work slide
• come home with damaged clothes and books
• come home hungry(bully taking dinner money)
• become withdrawn, shy and lack confidence
• become distressed and anxious even stop eating
• attempt or threaten suicide
• have regular nightmares
• have their possessions go missing
• ask for money or begin to steal money
• continually lose money
• refuse to discuss what's wrong
• have unexplained bruises, cuts, scratches
• bully younger brothers and sisters
• become aggressive and unreasonable

This list is not a foolproof checklist, the presence of one or more of these signs does not necessarily indicate bullying. However, if these symptoms persist it may warrant further investigation.