Bullying in the Community

Bullying is a social phenomenon and can be found inside and outside school, in the work place or in the community. This section looks at bullying outside school and what support students and parents can expect from organisations and agencies when an incident occurs within the community.

Bullying outside school must be addressed because it can have a serious and long lasting effect on the target's emotional and mental health. This can lead to school phobia, truancy, poor academioc achievement, low self-esteem and, in extreme and tragic cases, suicide.

It is the responsibility not only of the school community but society as a whole to do everything in its power to eradicate bullying.

The Leicestershire County Council Anti-Bullying team has created a booklet called 'Bullying in the Community' through working in partnership with schools, parents, other agencies and local authorities. For more information about this booklet, or to recieve a copy, contact the Anti-Bullying team on 0116 284 5100.

Responding to bullying incidents

If your child is bullied outside school, by another pupil of the same school you should report the incident to the school concerned. They have a duty to respond in a certain manner. Whilst schools are not directly responsible for bullying that takes place of its premises their Anti-Bullying Policy should make clear the measures that can be taken to effectively respond to such incidents.

Bullying on a school bus

Leicestershire County Council is committed to addressing issues related to safety, poor behaviour and bullying on school transport. Guidance is provided for parents, students, bus contractors and schools. By working in partnership, most issues can be resolved.

The bus driver has a duty to drive safely and behave in an appropriate way. However s/he is not responsible for the students' behaviour. Incidents of bullying should be reported to the school. There is usually a senior member of staff with responsibility for issues related to behaviour. Schools will take appropriate action, although this will vary from one school to another.

Leicershire County Council have a School Transport section which has responsibility for the buses. They have the power to impose sanctions including suspensions from using the bus. Tel: 0116 265 7055

Racist/Religious Bullying

Leicester City and Leicestershire County Council are working in partnership to ensure that all those living in the city and county are able to do so without the fear of discrimination or harassment based on colour, race, religion or ethnicity.

If your child has been the target of racist or religious bullying, or if you become aware of such bullying, report it! Racist and religious incidents can be reported at any Police Station. Each of the four Leicestershire policing areas has a Hate Crime Officer. Tel: 0116 2222222.
If you live in Leicester City, incidents may be reported to the Racial Harassment Action Group (RHAG) at Leicester Racial Equality Council by telephone: 0116 299 9800.
If you live in the County, incidents may be reported to Leicestershire County Council by telephone. Tel: 0116 265 8263.
Incidents can also be reported on-line at:

Bullying within Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence can have a profound effect on young people who are subjected to or witness it. Bullying is a form of domestic violence and can cause victims to feel victimised, intimidated, afraid and vulnerable. Many children and young people who witness domestic violence may copy the behaviour of the bully. As a result those children and young people may be isolated by their peers, be labelled as disruptive, lack confidence and have low self-esteem.

Domestic Violence includes a number of abusive controlling behaviours in a domestic relationship over a period of time. These include psychological, physical, sexual, emotional and financial abuse. A perpetrator of domestic violence amy be a partner, ex-partner, carer or one or more family members. This can be in a current relationship or from a previous relationship. Domestic violence can affect all regardless of age, gender, sexuality, disability, race or ethnicity.

In order to tackle and challenge domestic violence, preventative work is being undertaken within schools in Leicester and Leicestershire.

If you would like to speak to someone, confidentially about experiencing, witnessing or perpetrating domestic violence contact:

Domestic Violence Integrated Response Project: 0116 255 0004
Leicester Women's Aid: 0116 244 0169
Loughborough Women's Aid: 01509 237 206 or:

County Domestic Violence Co-ordinator 0116 255 0004
Open Door Counselling for young people: 0116 223 2397

For further sources of support, contact us for a Bullying in the Community booklet on 0116 284 5100.

Homophobic and Transgender Bullying

Homophobic and transgender bullying is usually motivated by the offender's ignorance, prejudice or fear. Such incidents can have a serious impact on the target's quality of life. Homophobic and transphobic bullying can take place anywhere (both inside and outside of school). Statistics show that this type of bullying impact greatly on students in terms of achievements, relationship building, confidence and general well being.

The whole community should be supportive and proactive in order to educate society of the harm caused by homophobic and transgender bullying. Schools should deal with such issues and this should be made clear in their policies.

For further information and support, contact The Leicester Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Centre on: 0116 254 7412.

Cyber Bullying

Unfortunately, unlike 'traditional' bullying that took place (and still does) in the play ground, cyber and text bullying can continue long after schools have closed their gates. Bullying on the internet can happen in two ways:
1. By using e-mail.
2. By somebody setting up a site with the intention to 'target' an individual or group of people.

The increase of mobile phones has also led to text bullying. Sending threatening or bullying text messages is a criminal offence that the Police recognise as a crime.

Lincolnshire and Rutland Connexions have produced an informative leaflet entitled 'Modern Menace' that deals with these issues in depth. They can be obtained from the Lincolnshire and Rutland Connexions office. Tel: 01572 756 655 or download from: