Dorset Anti-Bullying Service

Have you been bullied? Have you been a bully? Don’t suffer in silence

Do you feel… humiliated, ridiculed, left out, controlled, discriminated against, anxious, loss of confidence, low self-esteem, angry, frustrated, fearful, depressed?

In today’s world bullying and harassment of all types are on the increase and becoming more acceptable and present in everyday life. Research shows that 1 in 2 adults will be affected by bullying at some point in their life time, either directly or indirectly, with the most vulnerable in our society being at greatest risk. Face to face, text, email and social media are used to bully within our communities, workplaces and relationships.

Bullying… Why Me?

Bullies target others because they feel threatened by the target or simply because the target was there and available to be preyed upon.

Bullies behaviour is manipulative, predatory, opportunistic and under hand.

You may have been targeted because you are a person with integrity, competent, popular, have strength of character, are slow to anger, are different in some way eg illness or injury, race, gender, gender orientation, religion, sexuality, disability or have a vulnerability of some kind. Bullies act without integrity and feel intimated by people who display it.

Sometimes bullies act with no reason other than for the sense of power they get from realising that something they have done has provoked a reaction in their target. This is a way of feeling better about themselves and exerting power because hidden underneath a fake appearance of confidence they have low self-esteem, feel powerless, insecure, inadequate and vulnerable. Truly confident people do not need to belittle others.

Within the workplace, bullying is often triggered by organisational change, economic downturn which makes the bully’s job more difficult than normal or if the target unwittingly draws attention to the bullies flaws, refuses to act illegally or outside of the rule, stands up for somebody else, brings a grievance, undertakes trade union duties or receives positive attention.

Very often targets are too fearful to bring grievances and when they do, they are often left alone, and vulnerable, which can lead to isolation, anxiety and depression.

Many people who contact DABS (Dorset Anti-Bullying Service) for support to recover from Workplace Bullying have a history of domestic abuse, are people pleasers with low self-esteem.

The pattern of abuse will continue until the target takes their power back and starts to take care of themselves first.

Getting support as soon as possible is fundamental to ensure you start to recover.

How counselling can help?

Counselling is sharing your difficulties & feelings, in order to help you to find understanding of what has been happening, to enable change to take place and to build resilience and robust mental health.

Dorset Anti-Bullying Service can refer you to a professionally trained counsellor who will adhere to a strict ethical code of practice, available on request.

To find out advice on familial and workplace bullying and much more, please visit our website.

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you require our support.