For example, if you’re near your locker at school and a bully comes up to you, grab your things as quickly as you can and walk the other direction. Sometimes, bullies may try to step in your way or cut you off if you keep ignoring them. If they start getting angry, you may need to confront them.
Avoid yelling or raising your voice too loudly since your bully may notice that you’re still getting angered by them. If your bully is still being persistent, you can try saying something like, “I asked you to stop, so please stop. ” Walk away afterward so your bully doesn’t have time to respond.
Once you’re away from your bully, it’s okay to get emotional and react to what they said. Don’t try to suppress how you feel for a long time or else it could lower your self-esteem and confidence.
For example you may say, “I don’t like what you’re saying about me, and I would like you to stop. ”
For example, if your bully calls you a nerd, you can say, “That’s right, I am a nerd and I’m proud of it. Now please leave me alone. ” You don’t actually need to agree with what the bully says, but saying that you agree can help deter them from bullying you more.
For example, you could say, “Didn’t you say the same thing to me last week?” or “I’m in a bit of a hurry. Can we reschedule this for some other time?” Don’t make jokes that insult the bully since that can make them angrier and they may get more aggressive around you.
Adults may not notice bullying right away, so always be sure to tell them as soon as you feel like it’s happening to you. Telling an adult is not tattling on your bully. The bully wants you to feel like you’re alone and can’t reach out to anyone to make them feel like they’re more powerful than you.
Avoid going to secluded places or somewhere where you’re alone since you could be more at risk of a bully fighting you there.
Don’t let the bully push you against a wall or into the corner, or else you won’t be able to get away.
Stay in an active stance while you’re defending against the bully so you aren’t taken off guard. Always keep your palms open so you don’t accidentally punch or hit the bully.
Many schools have zero-tolerance policies for bullying or violence, so you may still get in trouble even if you’re just defending yourself. Only fight back to defend yourself. Never start the fight if you don’t need to.
