Bullying
Being picked on or bullied is something that happens to children and young people everywhere in the world.
Generally, it's thought of as acts of physical violence - sometimes just lashing out, sometimes more focussed attacks. However, bullying can also mean verbal threats or assaults, even continuing emotional abuse.
As well as aggressive bullying - threatening or striking someone, openly mocking a certain aspect of them etc. - some bullies use less obvious methods. Deliberately ignoring people, or trying to exclude them from friendship groups can be just as damaging as more direct hostility.
Racism, sexism and relgious intolerance are also commons forms of bullying. Harassing someone because of their racial background, sexual preference or religious beliefs iscowardly and unfair; it's only by telling someone that you can sort it out.
Bullying is not acceptable in any form. If you are being bullied it is important to feel confident in the help available - you should not have to suffer in silence. If you do not want to tell your parents, there are other people you could inform such as a teacher or experts completely outside of the situation (for example Childline on 0800 1111).