24-hour help
Call 911 if you or someone you know is in immediate danger.
Bullying Helpline: 1-888-456-2323 to get help anonymously in more than 170 languages or find other supports.
Bullying Helpline Chat: to get help anonymously from 8 am to 8 pm, 7 days a week.
Bullying is repeated mean, cruel, hurtful behaviours done on purpose by someone with more power. It can be verbal, physical, social and online. Recognize the warning signs.
When you see bullying
Bullying is worse and lasts longer when there are bystanders around. If you are a bystander, you have the power to help in 3 ways:
- Stay and help
- Tell the person who is bullying to stop.
- Help the person targeted feel supported by speaking up for them when it is safe to do so.
- Call 911 if the situation is violent and the person being bullied is in immediate danger.
- Leave and get help
- Find someone who has the skills and authority to help such as a teacher, supervisor, police officer or coach.
- Share what you saw and heard with the person who can help.
- After the incident, support the person targeted
- Let them know that they do not deserve to be treated that way and it is not their fault.
- Connect them with someone who can help prevent future incidents, like a supervisor, human resources person, teacher or coach.
- Whenever possible, include them in your future activities.
Bullying is preventable. There are many things we can do to create spaces that are free from bullying. Know the actions we can take as friends, colleagues, parents, coaches and teachers to prevent bullying.