When you are going through something difficult, the advice we and many others would give you would be to open up about it, but this isn’t always the easiest thing. This Anti-Bullying Week, we are talking about some of the biggest issues that can affect you, but what good is it if YOU feel you can’t talk about it yourself? So here is a quick guide to opening up about serious bullying issues, and assault.
Know that you are not alone
Whatever it is that’s happened, the most important thing to remember is that you are not alone. Serious bullying issues such as assault, revenge porn and more are awful things to go through, but you are not the only one that has ever had to deal with it.
Make sure you talk to someone about it, and if you don’t feel ready to talk about it with someone you know, you can talk to us in our community here.
Choose someone you trust
The key thing is to pick someone you trust to speak to. If they have a history of spreading rumours, telling others secrets or getting angry in the face of confrontation, they might not be the best person to speak to. You need to know that what you have to say isn’t going to go any further if you don’t want it to, and that they are not going to do something stupid in order to protect you. Either way, it could stand to make the situation a lot worse.
And a time and place that is appropriate
No one can have a serious conversation about stuff like this at a party, or in the middle of class. Make sure you choose a time and a place where you can speak in private, where you feel comfortable, and when you can take the time you need to discuss it. Try not to go overboard though; put a time limit on the conversation so you don’t spend hours talking about things you find triggering.
Make sure they are in a position to be there for you too
One thing about opening up to someone is we don’t often think about whether or not they are in a position to hear it. Is this something they will find triggering? Are they going through some difficult stuff in their own lives that might make it hard for them to be there for you? Ask yourself these questions before jumping into the conversation.
Talk to them side-by-side, rather than face to face
Having a tough conversation when you look someone in the eye can be really difficult, and it can result in more anxiety around the issue. As a result, why not do it side-by-side when you go for a walk together, or watching TV. We often find it a lot easier to address difficult situations when we don’t have to look someone in the eye, because we are scared of seeing their reaction on their face.
This Anti-Bullying Week, we are tackling the BIG issues. For more, check out our dedicated bullying hub here.
PS, if you need someone to talk to or just want to rant about it. You can join our free safe space.
