National Anti-Bullying Week

It's National Anti-Bullying Week from Monday 15 November to Friday 19 November, and we'd like to remind you we're here to help. Bullying has a long lasting effect on those who experience and witness it. It happens in schools and in universities, and it is an issue that affects a huge number of people. If you are experiencing bullying while studying at Imperial (or anywhere else) it is important to know that you are not alone, and it's important to ask for help. This guide (that we borrowed from here) will help you with what to do when this happens, how best to overcome this and some useful contacts for you to speak to if things are becoming overwhelming for you.

You’d be surprised just how many people go to university and are unaware of what bullying can entail and whether or not what they are doing actually constitutes as bullying.

Bullying at university is general behaviour that is carried out with the sole purpose of hurting others. Unfortunately this doesn't exclude mental harm. Plenty of students have complained of experiencing various mental health issues at university, many of which are a direct result of bullying or even from sexual harassment or rape at university. Bullying can include, but is not limited to:

• Cyberbullying
• Social and emotional bullying
• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Sexual harassment
• Name calling
• Discrimination
• Racism
• LGBTQ Discrimination

What is Cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying (Trolling) is a form of bullying where people are bullied by text, email, chat rooms, social media sites or any other form of electronic device or interaction. Social media sites are full of people trolling or otherwise engaging in Cyberbullying.  A report by ABC News found that Cyberbullying affects 1 in 10 students. Cyberbullying and bullying are one in the same and both are equally unacceptable. If you or anyone you know have experienced any of it, we urge you to report this immediately.

Who can I speak to if I have experienced bullying at Imperial?

First of all we recommend talking to our Advice Centre. Our advisors are impartial and confidential and they can guide you in how to deal with this. 

College also has a harassment and bullying support line through the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Centre. They have a new Report & Support tool, where you can disclose unwelcoming behaviours such as bullying, harassment, sexual violence, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct. You can disclose either anonymously or you can provide your details to be contacted by an advisor, regardless if you have experienced these directly or if you want to disclose on behalf of someone else. 

You can speak to your tutor as well. Your tutor will have training in helping students that are experiencing bullying and can make some suggestions on how to combat this. 

Your friends and family are also there to help you as well. With friends and family, you are never alone and you will always have someone to talk to. Your friends will be able to help you with reporting bullying as well, as you will now have someone who can vouch for your story and someone who may even be able to point out other instances of bullying. They too may be experiencing bullying as well. Remember, a problem shared, is a problem halved!

Important contacts to have

These numbers and websites below are all free-to-call, unless stated and will be able to provide support and advice for those experiencing bullying.

If you know anyone else who is suffering with these issues, then we urge you to share these numbers with them too. Remember, these companies will have a number of different specialities and may be able to help you if you’re struggling with any other issues as well.