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2	This is how it started When I started High School. I liked it at first, I had some mates and we got to know each other. It was okay. But then some other young people from my year and the year above, kept calling me names, when I saw them around school I tried to ignore them they said things like; “You live with your Nana your not the same as us!!” “Your Mam is an alcoholic” “Look at all your spots on your face because you don’t get washed!!”
3	What I tried to do I did try to ignore them, but they carried on calling me names and threatening me. I reported the bullying to the Teachers. They had a talk to the bullies, but the bullies just blamed me! Some of the teachers said “ just ignore them and stop being silly” It did stop for a bit, but then it started again. I kept trying my best to ignore them and keep away from them.
4	Why I didn’t want to go to school This made me feel upset and really down and that I did not want to go to School. I told my Nana that I was ill, so she would let me stay off school. I kept doing this on and off for about three weeks. My Nana started to ask me why I didn’t want to go school so I told her about the bullying. The next day she sent me back to School and rang the Head of year, about the bullying problems.
5	It finally started to stop ! ? .The Head of Year spoke to the bullies again and they started to leave me alone. One of the bullies then kept coming to see me at home to talk to me, so I thought we were friends. I let her in my bedroom with one of my other friends.
6	My Night mare We were watching T.V. when she started to hit me and I thought she was joking, like play fighting, so I hit her back. But after a bit, the hitting started getting harder. When she hit me the next time. I didn’t hit her back. She got really mad and put the pillow over my face. I could not shout and could hardly breathe. This made me remember something really bad that happened to me when I was five years old, that I don’t want to talk about.
7	What happened next I struggled to get her off me. I then shouted at her to get out and leave me alone. I went down stairs and would not tell my Nana what happened, she rang my Auntie up and she came around, I ran up to her and told her everything. I then went to speak to the Police on a Video link.
8	Getting the right support Always tell someone don’t keep it to yourself. Don’t suffer on your own and make sure you tell People until it gets sorted. Talk to your parents and carers about the Problem. Look on the internet for anti bullying advice.
9	This really shook me up and frightened me. I thought this girl was my friend but she tried to really hurt me. I got in touch with RAPP and they supported me and helped me get through it. When I turned 15, I finally stopped sleeping in my Nana’s bed, which was a big step for me. Although its taken a while, I feel I am now getting on with my life and as I have got older I feel more confident about myself.
10	What I am doing now I am doing different things now like working at RAPP doing an NVQ in Administration. I also help run the BOB (Bog off Bullies) a support group for young people who are bullied. We also have just made an anti bullying film. I go to RAPP’s Drama group and I am involved in the Platform to Success Project. All this has helped build my confidence and help me make new friends.
11	My tips for dealing with Bullying Do your best to ignore the bullying. Always tell someone about the bullying and keep telling them until they listen. Teachers and other adults in Schools, should never tell young people they are being silly, when it comes to bullying. Teachers and Schools should do more about helping young people make and keep friends. Be careful who you trust, its better to build up trust over a period of time. Get involved in different things, outside of School to make new friends and build up confidence.
12	Question and Answers Would you like to ask any questions