Signs of Bullying
For more information on bullying and its effect on children, click here.
Knowing the signs of bullying can help give a voice to children. Any child or young person can be bullied for any reason. Children can be bullied if they are perceived to be an ‘easy target’, or different in some way, for example because of their:
- Disability
- Race or ethnicity
- Gender
- Sexual orientation
- Background or home life
- Low self-esteem, anxiety, shyness, or lack of assertiveness
No single indicator will tell you that your child is definitely being bullied, but there are some signs to look out for, including:
- Belongings getting lost or damaged
- Coming home with physical injuries, like unexplained bruises
- Torn clothes
- Being afraid to go to school
- Being mysteriously ‘ill’ each morning
- Skipping school
- Doing less well at school
- Being nervous or losing confidence
- Becoming quiet and withdrawn
- Asking for or stealing money (to give to bullies)
- Problems eating or sleeping
- Bullying other children