Safety & Violence
As you get older, your world expands, and learning how to stay safe is vital. Safety is about knowing your rights, recognising red flags, and being prepared to act in challenging situations, whether online, at school, or in your community.
Trust yuh gut! If a situation or person makes you feel uneasy, anxious, or pressured — that feeling is information. You always have the right to leave.
You Have the Right to Feel Safe — Always
Bullying is repeated, aggressive behaviour — physical, verbal, social, or emotional. No one deserves to be targeted, in real life or online.
What counts as bullying?
- Physical — hitting, shoving, damaging property
- Verbal — name-calling, teasing, threats
- Social — spreading rumours, excluding someone on purpose
- Emotional — manipulation, intimidation
- Cyberbullying — hurtful messages, fake accounts, online humiliation
Recognise It
Bullying is repeated and unwanted. If it makes you feel unsafe, stressed, or scared on a regular basis — it’s bullying, and it needs to stop.
🛑 Stop, Block & Screenshot
For cyberbullying: don’t respond. Block the sender. Save the evidence (screenshots) before deleting anything. Engaging usually makes it worse.
Tell a Trusted Adult
Share what’s happening with a parent, teacher, or guidance counsellor. Asking for help to stop harmful behaviour is self-protection — not snitching.
Be an Upstander, Not a Bystander
If you see someone being bullied, don’t join in — and don’t stay silent. Support the person, refuse to spread rumours, and tell a trusted adult what you witnessed. Everyone has a role in keeping communities safe.
Prevention Starts with Respect
Understanding healthy vs. unhealthy relationships, setting clear boundaries, and trusting your instincts are your most powerful protective tools — in person and online.
Trust Your Gut
Your intuition is a powerful survival tool. If something feels wrong, act on that feeling. You never need a reason to remove yourself from a situation or person.
Set Them Clearly
Be clear about what you are and are not comfortable with. A respectful person will accept your “no” — the first time, every time. Boundaries protect your emotional and physical space.
Stay Cool, Stay Safe
In a heated argument, use a calm tone. Listen more than you talk. Step away if things escalate — walking away is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Have an Exit Plan
Always let a trusted person know where you’re going, who you’re with, and when you expect to be back. A code word with a trusted friend can help you signal when you need help.
Find Help Near You
Explore our interactive map to locate youth-friendly services, polyclinics, counseling centers, and community resources across Barbados.