Physical
- Physical injuries that the young person cannot or will not give a convincing explanation for (e.g. cuts and bruises, pain in arms and legs).
- Torn or damaged clothing. The young person may be unable/unwilling to explain how the clothes were damaged.
- General physical ill-health is often a sign of emotional and psychological stress.
Emotional signs
- Mood swings or apparent changes in personality. Constant anxiety/nervousness.
- Depression or tearfulness for no apparent reason.
- Lack of confidence and negative self-image. Pupils who are being bullied often put themselves down and devalue their own abilities.
- Hostility and defensiveness. Young people who are being bullied may complain of feeling or seem to feel picked on.
Behavioural signs
Children and young people who are being bullied sometimes respond by withdrawing into themselves and sometimes by lashing out.
Withdrawal and self-abuse
- Being generally withdrawn.
- Less active and effective participation in lessons and after-school activities and/or frequent unexplained absences.
- An inability to concentrate.
- Eating disorders, e.g. comfort eating or denying himself/herself food.
- Alcohol and/or drug use (this can sometimes be a coping mechanism or a result of peer pressure).
- Evidence of self-harming.
Lashing out and abuse of others
- Behaving in a disruptive and challenging way during school time.
- Behaving or starting to behave in a bullying way towards other pupils and/or staff.
General
- The young person may frequently “lose” money, possessions, items of clothing and equipment.
- The young person appears tired and lethargic and may complain of sleep disturbance or insomnia.
- They may go out of their way to avoid other pupils at the beginning and end of the school day.
No comments:
Post a Comment