Feeling safe
Feeling safe Feeling safe is central to your health and well-being. How safe you feel can influence your social habits and feelings of freedom. When we feel safe, we are able to more easily relax, recover from stress and focus on the work or study we need to do. You are entitled to feel safe, but sometimes things happen which may make you feel worried or scared. If anyone makes you feel uncomfortable by what they say or do to you, or to others, or by the way they touch you, tell an adult whom you trust straight away. You should also tell an adult if someone makes you feel uncomfortable by their online behaviour; by posting inappropriate images, asking you to send images or by their online language. People you meet online are not always who they say they are, and you should protect yourself by not disclosing information about yourself to someone you have not met in person.
• Two friends having a disagreement is not bullying because it is not repetitive and neither person has power over the other. • Rough play, play fights, accidents or playful teasing, as they may lack the intent to hurt and are not usually repeated. • Where the person acts without thinking, as there is no desire to hurt. • A one-off angry email, a careless text or a thoughtless post on Social Media. These actions might not be right, but they are not bullying.
What to do 1
Report the behaviour as soon as possible - to an adult at school or through the appropriate channels online. This is not dobbing; it is a way to solve a situation. Everyone should feel safe at school and online.
2
Remove yourself from the situation; walk away, log off or block the bully. If you feel bullied or victimised, it is important that you, or your friends, do not respond or retaliate in a negative way that may be used against you. People who bully want reactions from others.
3
Keep a record of the details of what happened, including people who witnessed the situation or screenshots of any online bullying behaviours. They might be able to help resolve the matter.
Bullying – What it is Bullying occurs when one or more people intentionally and repeatedly try to physically or emotionally hurt another person. A power relationship is being established. Typical examples of bullying behaviours include: • physical harassment of any kind towards another; • verbal or visual harassment of someone through taunts, spreading of rumours, intimidatory looks, name-calling, threats or humiliation; • tampering with the property or belongings of another person; • threatening another to get money or possessions from them; • exclusion - behaviour that leads to a feeling of being isolated from social groups. These behaviours could be displayed in person or in an online environment.
Bullying – What it isn’t Bullying isn’t always physically aggressive, and not all negative acts are bullying. For example:
Where to find help There are people who can help you.
• Your Class Teacher, Form Teacher, Tutor or Head of House
• The School Counsellor • A teacher or adult whom you trust • Your parents • Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 or
kidshelpline.com.au/kids/get-help/webchat-counselling/
Talk to someone you trust.
55 Mont Albert Road Canterbury Victoria 3126 Australia PO Box 151 Balwyn Victoria 3103 Australia www.cgs.vic.edu.au