Today marks the start of Anti-Bullying Week. This in from the council, in their own words. Ed
The council, police, local children’s safeguarding board and schools have come together to mark anti-bullying week and send a strong message out that bullying destroys lives.
In a poster campaign launched this week focusing on cyber bullying – where young people can be the victim of bullying via text messages, online chat rooms and social network sites such as Facebook – children and young people are asked to ‘stop and think’ before becoming involved in this growing national trend.
Young people to be surveyed
In a recent survey, responded to by 55 children and young people on the Island, cyber bullying was cited as the most common form of bullying.
Representatives from different agencies involved in an anti-bullying taskforce are planning to survey a wider group of young people early in the New Year to understand more about this issue and to help find new ways of tackling this newest form of bullying.
Special assemblies
As part of national Anti-Bullying Week, which runs from 14 – 18 November, schools are also holding a series of events, special assemblies or specific lessons this week.
Among the schools taking part, Carisbrooke and Queensgate Primary schools have tasked every one of their classes to draw up an anti-bullying charter, with each pupil writing a poem on the theme of bullying.
The schools will also hold a special assembly on 16 November called ‘Blue Wednesday’, with the idea that bullying makes you feel blue.
Bullying can carry on outside of school
Dawn Cousins, Isle of Wight Council cabinet member responsible for children services said: “Bullying is often perceived as physical intimidation, often within the school gates and our schools work hard to try and tackle this kind of behaviour. However, bullying does happen once schools close for the day.
“Whatever form it takes, bullying is not acceptable. Whilst the work we need to do together is on-going Anti-Bullying Week provides schools and organisations across the Island with an added opportunity to reinforce this message and to highlight the support available to those who may be worried about bullying.”
Useful services
A number of services are available to children and young people who may feel they are the victims of bullying and their parents. These include:
Childline tel 0800 1111
Parents Anti-Bullying Helpline tel 08451 205 204
