Wellbeing topics

Bullying and Peer Harm

Bullying and peer harm can happen in person or online, once or repeatedly. Safety, listening without blame and involving responsible adults are more important than asking a young person to handle it alone.

For adult caregivers of 14–17-year-olds | Research draft | Not diagnostic

What caregivers may notice

  • Avoiding school or particular people
  • Damaged belongings, unexplained injuries or online distress
  • Withdrawal, fear, sleep change or self-harm concerns

What caregivers can do

  1. Listen calmly and state clearly that the harm is not the teen's fault
  2. Preserve limited information only when doing so does not increase risk
  3. Ask school or other responsible services for a named safety plan and follow-up

When to seek more help

  • Ongoing bullying or an ineffective safety plan
  • Assault, extortion, sexual harm or abuse needs immediate protection
  • Self-harm, suicide or immediate danger requires urgent local help