the thing that bullies expect you not to do, so you are already regaining some control by speaking up. Check the grievance procedure where you work

People who bully want to get a reaction out of you, but don't fight back. It can make the situation worse

Try not to take days off work to avoid seeing the person who is bullying you. You are you playing right into their hands and you may find action is taken against you for an increased number of absences

If you're being targeted by mobile phone, contact your service provider with details of the calls or texts that are c

Bullying has come into the spotlight this week, with a record number of complaints made about Celebrity Big Brother (UK). Whilst Jade Goody is bearing the brunt of the criticism, she was not alone in her appalling behaviour and was joined by 2 other housemates, who thought it was fair game to target another contestant.

Nearly everyone is bullied at some time in their lives. Bullying doesn't stop when you leave school; it can happen to anyone at any age, and people can become bullies at any stage in life. Although it is hard to believe, bullying isn't always deliberate and bullies are not always aware of the harm they cause.

What is bullying?

Bullying takes on many forms, such as: leaving people out of a group; name calling; being singled out as 'different'; being teased about a family situation; saying or writing nasty things about you; as well as physical abuse. With more and more of us using email and mobile phones, bullying doesn't even have to happen in person. Silent phone calls or abusive texts or email can be just as distressing as being bullied face-to-face.

Why are people bullied?

Some people are bullied for no particular reason, but sometimes it's because they are different in some way - perhaps it's the colour of their skin, the way they talk, their size or their name.

Why do bullies do it?

There are a lot of reasons why some people bully. Although lots of bullies may seem very confident often they are not. They may see it as a way of being popular, or making themselves look tough and in charge. Some bullies do it to get attention, or to make other people afraid of them. Others may be jealous of the person they are bullying or may be being bullied themselves.

What can you do if you see someone else being bullied?

If you see someone else being bullied you should always try to stop it. If you do nothing, you're saying that bullying is okay with you.

How to stop the bullying

Most bullies are weak. As soon as you show them that they have upset you, then they have won and they get strength from that.

If you find yourself in a situation that is making you feel uncomfortable, calmly but quickly walk away.

If you are near other people or a public place, head in that direction.

Speak up, this is exactly the thing that bullies expect you not to do, so you are already regaining some control by speaking up. Check the grievance procedure where you work

People who bully want to get a reaction out of you, but don't fight back. It can make the situation worse

Try not to take days off work to avoid seeing the person who is bullying you. You are you playing right into their hands and you may find action is taken against you for an increased number of absences

If you're being targeted by mobile phone, contact your service provider with details of the calls or texts that are ca

s are not always aware of the harm they cause.

What is bullying?

Bullying takes on many forms, such as: leaving people out of a group; name calling; being singled out as 'different'; being teased about a family situation; saying or writing nasty things about you; as well as physical abuse. With more and more of us using email and mobile phones, bullying doesn't even have to happen in person. Silent phone calls or abusive texts or email can be just as distressing as being bullied face-to-face.

Why are people bullied?

Some people are bullied for no particular reason, but sometimes it's because they are different in some way - perhaps it's the colour of their skin, the way they talk, their size or their name.

Why do bullies do it?

There are a lot of reasons why some people bully. Although lots of bullies may seem very confident often they are not. They may see it as a way of being popular, or making themselves look tough and in charge. Some bullies do it to get attention, or to make other people afraid of them. Others may be jealous of the person they are bullying or may be being bullied themselves.

What can you do if you see someone else being bullied?

If you see someone else being bullied you should always try to stop it. If you do nothing, you're saying that bullying is okay with you.

How to stop the bullying

Most bullies are weak. As soon as you show them that they have upset you, then they have won and they get strength from that.

If you find yourself in a situation that is making you feel uncomfortable, calmly but quickly walk away.

If you are near other people or a public place, head in that direction.

Speak up, this is exactly the thing that bullies expect you not to do, so you are already regaining some control by speaking up. Check the grievance procedure where you work

People who bully want to get a reaction out of you, but don't fight back. It can make the situation worse

Try not to take days off work to avoid seeing the person who is bullying you. You are you playing right into their hands and you may find action is taken against you for an increased number of absences

If you're being targeted by mobile phone, contact your service provider with details of the calls or texts that are c

particular reason, but sometimes it's because they are different in some way - perhaps it's the colour of their skin, the way they talk, their size or their name.

Why do bullies do it?

There are a lot of reasons why some people bully. Although lots of bullies may seem very confident often they are not. They may see it as a way of being popular, or making themselves look tough and in charge. Some bullies do it to get attention, or to make other people afraid of them. Others may be jealous of the person they are bullying or may be being bullied themselves.

What can you do if you see someone else being bullied?

If you see someone else being bullied you should always try to stop it. If you do nothing, you're saying that bullying is okay with you.

How to stop the bullying

Most bullies are weak. As soon as you show them that they have upset you, then they have won and they get strength from that.

If you find yourself in a situation that is making you feel uncomfortable, calmly but quickly walk away.

If you are near other people or a public place, head in that direction.

Speak up, this is exactly the thing that bullies expect you not to do, so you are already regaining some control by speaking up. Check the grievance procedure where you work

People who bully want to get a reaction out of you, but don't fight back. It can make the situation worse

Try not to take days off work to avoid seeing the person who is bullying you. You are you playing right into their hands and you may find action is taken against you for an increased number of absences

If you're being targeted by mobile phone, contact your service provider with details of the calls or texts that are c

at can you do if you see someone else being bullied?

If you see someone else being bullied you should always try to stop it. If you do nothing, you're saying that bullying is okay with you.

How to stop the bullying

Most bullies are weak. As soon as you show them that they have upset you, then they have won and they get strength from that.

If you find yourself in a situation that is making you feel uncomfortable, calmly but quickly walk away.

If you are near other people or a public place, head in that direction.

Speak up, this is exactly the thing that bullies expect you not to do, so you are already regaining some control by speaking up. Check the grievance procedure where you work

People who bully want to get a reaction out of you, but don't fight back. It can make the situation worse

Try not to take days off work to avoid seeing the person who is bullying you. You are you playing right into their hands and you may find action is taken against you for an increased number of absences

If you're being targeted by mobile phone, contact your service provider with details of the calls or texts that are c

the thing that bullies expect you not to do, so you are already regaining some control by speaking up. Check the grievance procedure where you work

People who bully want to get a reaction out of you, but don't fight back. It can make the situation worse

Try not to take days off work to avoid seeing the person who is bullying you. You are you playing right into their hands and you may find action is taken against you for an increased number of absences

If you're being targeted by mobile phone, contact your service provider with details of the calls or texts that are causing you concern. Mobile phone companies take cases like this seriously and can trace people who think they are calling or texting anonymously

If you're being targeted online or by email, contact your internet service provider.