This week is Anti-Bullying Week so we thought it was a good time to put the spotlight on this type of behaviour. We’ll have a look at what bullying is, how it can affect you and what support and information is available to help you.

Firstly, what is bullying?
Bullying is repeated behaviour that is intended to hurt someone, either emotionally or physically. Bullying can take many forms:

• physical assault
• teasing
• making threats
• name calling
• excluding
• making unreasonable demands.

The next thing to consider, is where does it happen?
It can happen anywhere, is not restricted to schools and takes place in all walks of life, including University and workplaces.

Many young people have been bullied at school and starting at University can bring up unpleasant memories, causing distress and mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. Bullying can occur in University accommodation and in shared houses and it can feel very difficult to escape from these situations.

Cyber-bullying also occurs, through emails, texts and social media such as Facebook, . It can be very distressing as it has the potential to permeate into all areas of an individual’s life.

So finally, what can you do about bullying?
There is lots of help available. You can talk to someone in your faculty, your GP, Student Support services or the Student Union and can get support to help with the situation.

You can also find Sheffield Hallam University’s Student Anti-Harassment Policy on Shuspace.

Useful organisations providing advice and information include:

www.bullyonline.org
www.bullying.co.uk
www.antibullying.net/unistudents.htm
www.getconnected.org.uk
www.youngminds.org.uk

You can also find a display of materials in the Student Wellbeing area on Level 1 of the Surrey Building.

We hope this is useful information. Remember, if bullying is affecting you or someone you know, you can contact Student Wellbeing or Student Advice and Information for help and support.