BULLYING

Homophobic bullying is the same as any other form of bullying – it is wrong and it should be challenged. It can damage your self esteem, make you scared to go out and can affect the way you live your life. Nobody has to put up with bullying!

I am being bullied at school what can I do?

Tell someone – nothing can be done if they don’t know about it!

Choose someone that you feel comfortable with this will make reporting it a little bit easier.

Talk to your friends that you can trust, sometimes it helps to share with your friends so that you can feel supported; you still need to tell a member of staff.

Each school has rules and guidelines about bullying and protecting young people.

Keep a diary about what’s happening, it will give you and staff a better idea about who, what, and when it’s happening.

Telling someone you’re being bullied because of your sexuality can be difficult; you may not be ready for your school or anyone else to know your sexuality.
It may help to speak to your local gay project first in confidence to sound out what you want to do and what the best options are. There is a list of local projects on the Young People & Bullying page.

I am being bullied at work what can I do?

Bullying doesn’t just happen at school, it can also happen at work, college and university.

A law against homophobic bullying has been in place since 2003 which protects people in the workplace which includes colleges and universities.
If bullying is not challenged and dealt in these places they are breaking the law!
You can find out more information here – http://www.stonewall.org.uk/what_we_do/research_and_policy/2868.asp

The easiest way to remember all of this is…

No one has the right to bully you and you don’t have to put up with any kind of bullying! YOU have the right to be protected!