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Police
I’m sorry to hear that. It’s important to remember that you don’t deserve to be treated poorly by anyone. Here are some steps you can take to deal with mean people:
Recognize that you have control: You may not be able to control that person’s behavior, but you can control how you respond to it. Sometimes, people are mean just to get a reaction, you can control whether they get it or not. You are in control of how you react and where the situation ends up 1.
Respond with compassion: There may be a deeper issue that the mean person is using negative behavior to hide. Sometimes, the biggest bully is the one that has suffered unthinkable abuse elsewhere. Meanness may appear as frustration, irritation, or impatience. If you spot any of these, you could say “Looks like you could use a break. Why don’t we take 5 minutes?” or “Is there something I can help you with?” Taking the time to get to know them may clear up some things for you. Maybe you’re just taking things too personally or maybe they’re just misunderstood. Taking a compassionate approach can help to show them that you actually see the person and not just the behavior 1.
Practice assertiveness: Assertiveness means standing up for yourself and your needs while also respecting the needs of others. At some point, you might encounter a mean person who doesn’t respond to compassion and you can’t simply take the “high road”. In these types of situations, it’s best to be straightforward and let the person know that you will not allow yourself to be walked over. For example, when you’re at school, another kid might bully you into doing something you don’t want to. Make eye contact and tell them “no” using a calm and steady voice. You may have to repeat this a few times, but eventually they’ll stop 1.
If you feel unsafe or threatened, please reach out to a trusted adult or the police for help 2. Remember, you are not alone and there are people who care about you and want to help you through this difficult situation.