Boston vs Bullies

Resource Details

The Target

You Are Not Alone

If you are getting bullied, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. It happens to more kids than you think – youth of all ages, sizes, and backgrounds. Please know that none of this is your fault. And please know that it doesn’t have to be this way.

Kids Who Get Bullied

An excerpt from our 40-minute video featuring all star athletes from Boston’s professional sports teams sharing their stories and providing kids with ways to stand strong against bullying.

Meet Our All Stars
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You Are Not Alone

If you are getting bullied, you might not tell anyone because you:

  • Don’t recognize it as bullying
  • Are embarrassed
  • Don’t want to appear weak
  • Fear retaliation
  • Don’t know how to talk about it (or with whom)
  • Don’t think anyone can help
While this is understandable, you should know that bullying is never acceptable. It needs to be brought to light so it can be stopped. So tell a trusted friend or adult. Otherwise, the bullying is likely to continue – and you and others will continue to be impacted by its devastating effects.

If you are getting bullied, you might:

  • Not want to go to school
  • Find it hard to do your homework
  • Lose your confidence
  • Feel tense and anxious
  • Get headaches or stomachaches
  • Have trouble sleeping
  • Become depressed (sometimes, to the extreme)

If you experience any of these things, please tell a parent, teacher, or trusted adult immediately – they can and will help you.

You have friends and adults around you that can help stop the bullying.

When faced with demands from bullies, don’t give in – that only rewards the bully and makes him or her want to continue the bullying.

And don’t retaliate – that may provoke the bully and lead to violence.

Instead, try to respond with self-confidence and assertiveness. YOU have the power to stop the bullying.

Here are some specific ways that will help you Stand Strong in the face of bullying:

  • Take a deep breath and let the air out slowly
  • Sit or stand tall, head up
  • Keep your hands at your sides rather than on your hips or folded across your chest
  • Have a relaxed and purposeful expression, not angry or laughing
  • Maintain eye contact
  • Speak with a calm voice, loud enough to be heard clearly
  • Use non-provocative words and a confident tone of voice
  • Avoid name-calling or making threats
  • Avoid finger pointing or other threatening gestures
  • Reply briefly and directly
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Stand Strong: 3 More Response Options

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Stand Strong
3 More Response Options

If you are getting bullied, you have several other ways that you can respond.

Walk Away

Sometimes the best response is no response

Protect Yourself

Find a safe place, like a favorite teacher’s classroom. Remember, the first priority is always your safety

Get Help

Find a friend or trusted adult who can help you figure out effective ways to respond and stop the bullying

Related Materials

Role Play: Target's Response

Act out these scenarios of what to say to bullies to make them stop.

Make a Game Plan

A printable booklet designed to go along with the activities “Game Plan,” “Make Your Own Motto,” and “Creating Rules” from pages 10 and 16-17 of the Facilitator’s Guide.

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