“I was a victim of bullying back in school. My advice is to always tell someone straight away and ask for help. Keeping it to yourself will only be more damaging in the long run.” Liam Payne, One Direction.
Louis Evans was picked on and taunted throughout his schooldays for his bright ginger hair has beaten the bullies by creating a successful modelling career for himself. Louis has appeared on the catwalks of London Fashion Week and in the pages of British Vogue.
And it was his ginger hair, which was the reason he was bullied for years, that has made him so popular!
Louis Evans As A Schoolkid And Today
Whilst growing up he was targeted for the way he looked. ‘It was quite difficult growing up in a small town. People are very close-minded. Back at home there were stereotypes about gingers. I didn’t let it affect me though and I tried not to let it affect my confidence.’
Some Tips On How To Deal With Bullying
If you or a friend are being bullied, it can sometimes feel like nothing can make it stop, especially if it has been happening for a long time.
Here are some practical tips, phone numbers and websites you can use for dealing with bullying.
If you are being bullied always remember – you are not alone and there is always someone willing to listen and help.
What is bullying?
Bullying can be physical, verbal or psychological. It includes name calling, spreading hurtful rumours, excluding someone from groups, taking possessions or money, hitting, pushing or kicking and unwanted sexual touch. Cyberbullying has the same effect as face to face bullying but takes place over the internet or through phones.
Bullying is often driven by prejudice and can be targeted at someone’s gender, culture, religion or perceived sexuality. Children and young people may also find themselves a target because of a disability, disfigurement, illness or hair colour.
What can I do if I’m being bullied?
- Firstly it is not your fault! Whatever the person, or people bullying you have said, this is everything to do with their negative thoughts and behaviour, and nothing to do with you. Believe that you deserve better and seek help.
- Talk to someone. Problems rarely get better by keeping them inside. If you can, talk to an adult that you trust – like your parent or a teacher.
- Talk to friends that you trust. Or contact Childline (see details below).
- Protect yourself – if you can, avoid situations where you are likely to be bullied. Never retaliate with violent actions such as hitting or punching – this can lead to you being seriously hurt or getting in trouble yourself. If the bullying is online, block or unfriend contacts that are being abusive. Make sure you have the highest privacy settings.If you are not sure how to do this then ask for help.
- Take part in activities outside of school – or wherever the bullying is taking place, that help to raise your confidence and make you feel good about yourself. Some ideas could include Guides and Scouts, cadets, drama and dance classes, art classes, exercise classes and swimming. Remember that you deserve the very best in life.
- If the bullying is making you feel very desperate and scared then don’t take it out on yourself – get immediate help. You can contact Childline any time, night or day for support and advice.
If you need help or advice about bullying there are helplines and websites that can provide you with information and support:
Helplines
ChildLine – ChildLine is the UK’s free, confidential helpline for children and young people. They offer advice and support, by phone and online, 24 hours a day. Whenever and wherever you need them, they’ll be there. Call 0800 1111.
Cybermentors – CyberMentors is a safe social networking site providing information and support for young people affected by bullying.
EACH – EACH has a freephone Actionline for children experiencing homophobic bullying: 0808 1000 143. It’s open Monday to Friday 10am-5.00pm.
REMEMBER YOU ARE NEVER ALONE AND THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEONE READY TO LISTEN AND HELP
gingerfightback.wordpress.com 
Nice touch Jim.
Cheers – got to offer the positive sometimes!
Great post in highlighting Bullies.. My own Son was bullied at school for being Ginger…
Cheers Sue – a more positive slant on things this time hopefully.
I love that you do this Jim. Bullying is wrong. End of.
Exactly
I love that you do these, and hate that you need to.
Yep. Hopefully it helps the people who get in touch about this sort of stuff.
Any time there’s a bully, look at the bully kid’s parents and you’ll likely find another one that taught all the moves and strategies. Sad that society has come to this.
Great post – as you say, targets come in all shapes and sizes. (Gingers welcomed here! Is there some historical basis why red heads are so targeted there? Just curious. Such beautiful locks!)
Cheers – who knows? – guess we stand out, pale skin and freckles and not many of us.
Any news on that missing girl?
Good post Jim
Cheers Harry
Very useful advice, GFB.
Cheers – it is just a shame that so much of it goes on
Fabulous advice. And adding the ‘hotlines’ is a great idea. I was bullied off and on through school, bad enough to go home and cry, but looking back on it, it doesn’t seem so bad. Are kids today crueler than a couple generations ago, or are kids today not handling the situation as well? It seems the bullying today is much crueler than in my day.
We talk about it more and I suspect social media and the need to belong makes things worse these days. When I was at school I would literally Fightback but this may not always work for kids these days
Well done, my friend. It kills me how cruel we can be to each other.
Pointless use of our intellects
And our humanity. And our time.
Louis Evans’ story is really interesting and I would hope could be an encouragement to other young people. I really appreciate the way you’ve outlined hope for those who are being taunted and bullied, Jim. I just cringe at the idea that a child is targeted for any reason at all. Any anti-bullying campaigns deserve support.
Cheers Debra – I am glad you get it – a few Facebook comments appear to have missed the point. Oh well, will keep plodding along. On another matter isn’t Andra’s book wonderful!
Great post. Bullying is such a life destroying thing.
I’m going to add the number for Kids Helpline here in Australia too, 1800 55 1800. Who knows who might be reading from down here.
Cheers – I will put it on the bullying page
Excellent post, and I hope the day comes soon when bullying is a thing of the past and disappears from the gene pool.
We can hope
As a graying Ginger, I applaud his success,
Agreed
🙂