Adults who open this door must be prepared to deal with any problems they find. Bullying is certainly not new, but in the past it was often ignored or dismissed as part of life. In the last few years this way of thinking has changed and more attention has been paid to the rights and responsibilities of adults and children. There is no certain way of spotting that a child is being bullied or is bullying others. Things such as a change in attitude, an unexplained illness, not wanting to go to school, bruising or torn clothes may all have a simple explanation, or they may be the result of something more serious.
Children can go to very great lengths to hide from adults the fact that they are being bullied.
They may be afraid that they will be seen as cowardly or weak. They may even be afraid that talking to an adult will lead to even more problems or more trouble for them or that the adult will be unable or unwilling to help them. The best advice is to trust your instincts - if you are worried discuss your worries openly and honestly with your child. Here are some things to remember if you are talking to a member of your family who you think may be being bullied. Be patient - make time to listen to your child.