How do you react when you witness bullying?

Bullying, unfortunately, continues to be a significant issue in 2025. Although many bullies commit their acts discreetly, others act in plain sight. What should you do if you see someone being treated badly? As a witness, you have an important role to play.

Here are a few guidelines:

• Many bullies love to have an audience and enjoy getting laughs at someone else’s expense. Don’t engage in the bullying or treat it as entertainment.

• If possible, team up with friends to show your support for the person being bullied. Remember, there’s strength in numbers! Bullies often pick on people who are alone or feel left out. To prevent the bully from feeling like they can do whatever they want, sit near the person being bullied and strike up a conversation when you see them in the cafeteria or at the bus stop.

• Sometimes, you may not be able to react in the moment. If that happens, you can check in with the person later to see how they’re doing. Let them know that you find the situation unacceptable and that you support them. You should also encourage the bullying victim to seek help.

Finally, the most important thing you can do to stop bullying is to report it to a trusted person in a position of authority.

Bullying can take many forms, including insults, mockery, physical or sexual assault, threats, exclusion and spreading rumours.