Lots of people tell Bullying UK that they get bullied out of school, often by people they know from school but sometimes by people who live nearby.
If the people bullying you are at school with you then your parents need to talk to your class teacher or head of year about what's happening in case trouble spills over at school.
Although schools can take action over bullying on the journey to and from school they will be less keen to do anything about bullying that happens at the weekend or in the holidays.
Stay safe in the streetIf you feel worried about running into trouble at home see if you can get friends to come to your home so that you can go out together. Take a different route to the shops and if it's dark stick to well lit streets. You could also get a personal safety alarm.
If people shout insults then don't reply, walk away and then make a note of it later. They will be doing this because they know it upsets you and also because they think it makes them look big in front of their friends.
It's very important that you tell your parents or whoever cares for you if you have been threatened or attacked in the street.
The age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales is 10 so if people who are bullying you are older than that your parents could make a complaint to the police. Hitting or kicking you is an assault and calling you names or making rude gestures to you over and over again could be harassment.
It's not easy for the police to know who is telling the truth so if you are bullied like this keep a diary of who says and does what and also who else was there and saw what was going on.
Bystanders have a vital roleUnfortunately young people who witness bullying like this are often afraid to tell the police what they saw in case they get bullied too so it can be helpful if you know the names of adults who have seen this happening to you.
There are now police community support officers and they often help in cases like this by talking to both sides and trying to sort it out before it gets further out of hand.
In serious cases the police will take statements and might recommend that charges are brought against the bully. If the bully admits what they have done the case might not go to court but the bully might get a caution instead which is an official warning.
There are other people who can help apart from the police.
Trouble with neighboursIf there is trouble between families who live in council or housing association homes then the council might arrange mediation to see if the problem can be sorted out.
In serious cases where young people are violent and abusive the police or council can apply for an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) or their parents could be warned that if they keep misbehaving the family could be made to move out of their rented home.
Contact us on
help@bullying.co.uk if you need more help.
Other pages in this sectionSchool projects
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Bullies have taken my friends away
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Bullying - Have your say!
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Dangerous websites
How to help someone being bullied
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Mobile phone problems
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School bus bullies
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Gay bullying
Weapons can KILL
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Racist bullying
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National Bullying Survey 2006
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Introduction to bullying
Cyberbullying - What is Cyberbullying
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Happy slapping
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Internet abuse
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Bullying outside school
Are you a bully?
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Problems young people suffer
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Adults' survey results
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Pupils' survey results
Parents' survey results
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Tips from pupils
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Moving school
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Internet scams
Body language
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Cyber safety tips
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Teachers' survey results
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Bullying in sport
Taking time off school?