Reactions 

When bullying has taken place, your child needs to know they are not alone. Many children have faced similar harm — and isolation and fear are often the deepest wounds.

Whatever you may be feeling as a parent, it’s important to talk to your child. Let them know they are loved, understood, and safe. Tender loving care may be needed — during and after their experience.

Children may react in different ways

• Tearfulness or changes in personality
• Withdrawal or emotional shutdown
• Challenging or disruptive behaviour

These are normal reactions from a child who is hurting.

What Parents Can Do

• Avoid judging your child for changes in behaviour
• Keep talking — offer reassurance whenever possible
• Involve your child in every decision
• Keep them informed at each stage
• Let them express what they want to see happen
• Ask how they feel about decisions made on their behalf

It’s important to explain your chosen course of action — why you’ve taken it, and what you hope to achieve. This helps restore trust, protect emotional safety, and thread clarity into a confusing time.

Assessment of Your Child

When you suspect your child is being bullied, many emotions come into play.

It’s essential that your child knows you believe them — and that they have your full support.

Try to stay calm and gently gather information:

• What has been happening?
• Who is involved?
• How long has it been going on?

Avoid focusing on why the bullying may be happening — this can unintentionally make your child feel responsible.

If physical assault has occurred, you may need to decide whether reporting the incident to the police is your first priority.

Important: A child does not need to be visibly injured for an assault to have taken place.

The information you gather may assist the police — so again, try to remain calm and focused.

       (Children Under Risk from Bullying) 

Design & Copyright © Owner Maureen Booth-Martin (MBM)