Adult and Child Bullying Helplines
Bullying is described by the Anti-Bullying Alliance as “the repetitive, intentional hurting of one person or group by another person or group, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power.”
Bullying includes a whole range of behaviours from name-calling and spreading rumours through to spitting, cutting or sticking chewing gum in someone’s hair, groping and unwanted touch, hitting, kicking and pushing, manipulation and bribery. Bullying behaviour can be criminal behaviour if a child is harmed or threatened with harm and is always a child protection issue.
For information about the Anti-Bullying Alliance visit anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk. You can also follow them on Twitter at @ABAonline or like them on Facebook.
Use our helplines to find more information and advice on bullying
National Bullying HelplineTel: 0845 22 55 787nationalbullyinghelpline.co.uk
The Diana Award, Anti-Bullying Campaignantibullyingpro.comThe Diana Award, Anti-Bullying Campaign gives young people, teachers and parents the skills and confidence to tackle all forms of bullying
Direct Gov – Bullying and Harassment in the Workplacegov.uk
Bullying and harassment is behaviour that makes someone feel intimidated or offended - harassment is unlawful under the Equality Act 2010. Employers are responsible for preventing bullying and harassment - they’re liable for any harassment suffered by their employees. Having anti-bullying and harassment policies can help prevent problems. Acas has produced a booklet for employers, including advice on setting up a policy as well as how to recognise, deal with and prevent bullying and harassment.
ACAS - Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration ServiceHelpline: 0300 123 1100Bullying and harassment at work- Guidance for employees: acas.org.uk
Everyone should be treated with dignity and respect at work. Bullying and harassment of any kind are in no-one's interest and should not be tolerated in the workplace, but if you are being bullied or harassed it can be difficult to know what to do about it. This leaflet gives employees basic information about bullying and harassment, summarises the responsibilities of employers and outlines some of the options open to you and points you to sources of further information and advice.
Gov UK – Bullying at Schoolgov.uk
If you think that bullying is just a part of everyday school life, you're wrong. No-one deserves to be bullied and you shouldn't ignore the problem. This is a government website offering advice and information for young people and parent on how to combat bullying.
Kidscape
Parent’s Helpline: 08451 205 204
Whatever your problem or concern we are here to support you. All problems, whether big or small, will be answered with the same level of care and concern. Your call will be treated as confidential and you can remain anonymous.
Bullying UK (Part of Family Lives)
Helpline: 0808 800 2222
BullyingUK (part of Family Lives) have launched a new LiveOnline Support service for every member of the family to get advice direct from our Expert team, our advisors are standing by to support you with a wide range of bullying problems.
Beat Bullying
Beatbullying works with children and young people across the UK to stop bullying.
We empower young people so deeply affected by bullying that they can barely face going to school every day. We help young people to support each other. We help young people that bully to change their attitudes and behaviour. We shape attitudes, and change behaviours.
If you're being bullied, or are feeling a bit low, or are maybe troubled by something and you're not sure what to do or who to talk to, then BeatBullying is where you can go for help. It doesn't matter how big or small you think the problem is, or whether you're being targeted online or offline, our mentors are here to listen and support you.
Childline
Helpline: 0800 1111
ChildLine is a counselling service for children and young people. You can contact ChildLine in these ways: You can phone on 0800 1111, send us an email, have a 1-2-1 chatwith us, send a message to Ask Sam and you can post messages to the ChildLine message boards. You can contact ChildLine about anything - no problem is too big or too small. If you are feeling scared or out of control or just want to talk to someone you can contact ChildLine.
Chat Danger
The Chatdanger website has been created to inform young people about the potential dangers and ways of keeping safe in interactive areas online, such as chatrooms, instant messenger, online games and email, and also via mobile phones. The aim of the site is very much to inform and empower users of these services, so they can use these services safely, and not at all to discourage people from using these services.
Get Connected
Helpline: 0808 808 4994
Bullying, harassment and discrimination
Get Connected helps under 25s with a wide range of issues and can put you in touch with the right sort of help near you no matter what your worry is. Get connected is a friendly website for children and young people.
Ditch the Label
We are one of the UK’s largest, most ambitious and pioneering anti-bullying charities with innovation at our very core. Bullying is a learnt behaviour and we won’t stop until it’s over. Young people tell us every single year how much some anti-bullying provisions have alienated them and made them feel like “disempowered victims”. We are saying no to the fact that 2.5 million teens are still experiencing bullying every single year. We are saying no to defective anti-bullying policies that aren’t worth the paper they are written on. A no to the villainisation and misunderstanding of those who bully others and a huge, big, fat no to young people being blamed for their own bullying and getting told to just ignore it.
Papyrus
Papyrus HOPElineUK – 0800 068 41 41
SMS: 07786 209697
Support for those dealing with suicidal feelings, depression or emotional distress – particularly teenagers and young adults.
Students Against Depression
Developed in consultation with students who have been affected by depression, low mood or suicidal thoughts. Many of their stories and suggestions are included on the site.
Campaign Against Living Miserably
Helpline: 0800 58 58 58
Support for young men under 35 suffering from depression.
The Cybersmile Foundation
Helpline: 0845 688 7277
The Cybersmile Foundation offers practical help, support and advice for anybody affected by cyberbullying, as well as hate campaigns including parents, children, teachers and carers. You will find important information regarding cyberbullying in the advice and guidance section of the website, along with links to many other organisations that all offer different ways of helping with cyberbullying issues.
Thinkuknow
Find the latest information on the sites you like to visit, mobiles and new technology. Find out what’s good, what’s not and what you can do about it. If you look after young people there’s an area for you too – with resources you can use in the classroom, at home or just to get with it. Most importantly, there’s also a place which anyone can use to report if they feel uncomfortable or worried about someone they are chatting to online.
Kidsmart
Aimed primarily at parents and people who work with children, this site includes top tips, resources and some "SMART" rules to help teach children how to stay safe online.
ParentsCentre
Whether doing research for school projects and homework, chatting with friends or playing games, your child is likely to spend ever more time on the computer as they get older.
The articles and links in this section can help you to direct them towards helpful resources, while helping you steer them clear of the dangers which exist.
CEOP (The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre)
The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre is dedicated to eradicating the sexual abuse of children. That means we are part of UK policing and very much about tracking and bringing offenders to account either directly or in partnership with local and international forces.
Internet Watch Foundation (IWF)
IWF is the UK hotline for the public to report child sexual abuse content on the internet. It works with the internet industry and the police in the UK and abroad to get the content removed. You can report on their website, anonymously if you prefer.
e-victims.org
Dedicated to helping victims of e-crime and online incidents.
Fixers
Fixers is a movement of young people tackling issues they feel strongly about to make a difference to others and want to change things for the better. Many have been through difficult times, and have used that experience to campaign on issues that matter to them, like being homeless, domestic abuse, bullying or drink and drug misuse. To date, more than 8,400 Fixers from all over the United Kingdom have started (and are continuing) over 1030 unique projects.
ditchthelabel.org - advice, research and content tailored to young people aged 13-25 aimed to reduce the prominence and harmful effect of bullying
kidscape.org.uk - website with information and resources relating to bullying and other child protection issues
saferinternet.org.uk - website with information and resources relating to e-safety and cyberbullying
childnet.com - website with information and advice for teachers and resources suitable for primary and secondary age pupils relating to e-safety and cyberbullying
each.education - action line for children and young people with concerns about homophobic bullying
stonewall.org.uk - website with information and advice tailored to under-21s that have concerns about homophobic bullying
familylives.org.uk - 24 hour helpline for parents and carers that have concerns about bullying. They also have an email facility.
cafamily.org.uk - helpline for parents and carers of disabled children that have concerns about bullying