help for kids who are being bullied

Cyber bullying is any form of bullying behavour that occurs through technology.

Cyber bullying. Nearly half of England's 12 to 15 year olds have faced some form of bullying, including cyber-bullying over the last year. Research by the National Centre for Social Research found that 47% of young people reported being bullied at the age of 14. The same study showed that girls are more likely to be bullied, than boys, in that same age group. Cyber bullying is most certainly on the increase - more and more cases are being reported to our helpline by children and by extremely worried parents. At The National Bullying Helpline we are focusing on this very serious issue and we are working closely with The Police, Facebook and other IT service providers, to work towards eliminating this unacceptable behaviour.

Cyber bullying, however, affects adults as well as children. It is not uncommon for a disgruntled colleague or an aggrieved employee (who has been made redundant for example) to use technology, anonymously, to specifically name individuals and employers - as they vent their anger and frustration.

Don't be a Victim. All bullies are cowards and cyber bullying, and any form of bullying for that matter, can have long-lasting and deep-routed effects on a target. We don't want our children to think of themselves as victims, but as 'targets' who can re-position themselves to combat and 'stamp out' this unhealthy, anti-social behaviour. January 2010.

Lawyers and Charities call for radical changes in law to address bullying - particularly in schools. The National Bullying Helpline say; An Anti-Bullying Policy is not enough as often it is just a paperwork exercise. The burden of proof should not be on the parent alone to prove their child is a target of bullying - there needs to be a shared 'common sense' approach. A parent should not report individual cases to the class teacher - as, very often, the class teacher become defensive and this creates more conflict and distress!!

A firm Government stance is now required. A Government Directive or Code of Practice is needed (similar to the ACAS Code of Conduct in the workplace). Anti bullying Codes of Conduct should be visible to parents and teachers. Regulators and proper registration processes should be in place and cases recorded, statistically, and analysed. There should be a team of collectively appointed mentors and harassment buddies in every school comprising of both teachers and parents. There needs to be regular reviews of cases, outcomes and lessons learnt. There should also be mandatory education in schools for children on coping mechanisms and independent arbitrators, investigators and mediators - funded by the Government. NB: It would be good also if we stopped calling targets of bullying 'victims'. A child should not be encouraged to think of himself/herself as 'a victim'. 19 September 2009.

BULLYING IN SCHOOLS: Help us to stamp out bullying in the playground. Get involved with our work. Share your story with us. Keep a diary. Write down how you feel.

CYBERBULLYING: You may be a target of bullying even in your home. If you want to know more about Cyber bullying and how we can help you, please don't hesitate to call us today.

PARENTS: Ask for a FREE copy of our Step By Step Guide. Call us on 0845 22 55 787.

POSTERS: Contact us today if you would like a Poster. Donations would be appreciated.

During November each year we celebrate National Ban Bullying Week. What are you doing to celebrate this important event? Do you want to get involved in our charity work?

In 2008 We ran a Children's Poster Competition sponsored by Thomson's Directories. We are pleased to announce the winners of our 'Children's Design a Poster Competition' below.

We are the only National Bullying Helpline (Charity) in the UK for adults and kids.

Child being bullying by a group of other children

Are you being bullied at School? Are you worried about your child? There are many reasons why kids bully other kids. A bully may be struggling with personal problems at home. The bullying behaviour may be the only way they know how to deal with a difficult situation in their personal life, such as parents divorcing, a death of a relative, abuse or humiliation of some sort in their life. This does not mean that bullying behaviour is OK.

Bullies pick on others to make life better from themselves. How sad is that? Sometimes, a bully will pick on someone because they are jealous or because they think that they will be seen as ‘bigger and tougher' and it boosts their sad ego. For the bully, behaving in a bullying manner is seen as a way to win friends – but this is a myth and certainly a big mistake !

If we all pull together and associate ourselves with ‘like minded' people, we will eventually ‘tear away' the bullies. Bullies are tearaway's! The bullies need to know that their behaviour is not very clever. Help them to change. Give them encouragement to change. Bullies should not be allowed to get away with bullying other kids.

If you are a parent and your child is being bullied, call us today. We can help you too.

We are hearing lots of tales about Cyber bullying involving unwelcome mobile text messages and from abusive websites and other forums. Don't give your name, age, address or contact details to strangers over the internet even if they sound really friendly and you have spoken to them lots of times. If you have never met them, don't fall for their charm. A genuine person would never ask a child to reveal personal information about themselves. Don't tell people where you live or which school you go to. NEVER arrange to meet them. If a stranger asks you to meet them, see this as a warning sign and tell your parents or tell a responsible person. Call us if you want to talk to us in confidence. Also, another good bit of advice for you is to change your log-in details regularly and change your passwords. The only two people you should share your password details with are your mum or dad. When did you last change your password on your computer? Who did you tell?

Parents, you have a role to play too! Remember, the police can often trace the perpetrators. You need to check that your child is safe and that they take care. Check their sites and monitor their browsing and mail content periodically. Sit down and talk to your child about his/her concerns. Criminal Charges may be brought under The Harassment Act and other legislation that is there to protect you and your child. Call us if you are worried.

If you are worried call us on 0845 22 55 787. Even if you are a child, we may ask for your name and home telephone number so that we can speak to your parents if we believe you are at risk but, at the end of the day, if you are uncomfortable about this we quite understand. We are a registered Charity. Tell someone how you feel. A problem shared is a problem halved !

C.R.I. : CONFRONT. RECORD. INFORM.

From Commonweal School, Swindon, the lucky finalists are: Sarah Read, Lydia Browning and Dominic Peisinger

From Swindon College, the lucky finalists are: Mitchell Nelson and James Macmillen.

From Manor Junior School Farnborough, the lucky finalists are Reece Mead, Sophie Beech and Amee Turner.

From Three Ways School Bath, the lucky finalists are Andrew Derrick, Sammy Jo Lakey and Randall Reynolds-Yoi.

Below are some genuine comments received from young children of Commonweal School, Swindon, during the Poster Competition (closing date November 2008).

During National Ban Bullying week this year we will be launching our ‘KIDS' section. A number of exciting initiatives are taking place both locally within Wiltshire and Nationally.

1. POSTER COMPETITION

Thomson Local, based in Farnborough, Hampshire, is funding prizes for children who will be entering a national ‘poster competition' to design a range of Posters for The National Bullying Helpline. Children from four schools will be invited to design Posters using artwork and photography. The Schools chosen are Manor School Farnborough (ages 7-11), Commonweal School Swindon (ages 11 - 16), Swindon College and Three Ways School Bath (all ages). The winners will be named during National Ban Bullying Week. Watch out for the results !

Thomson are also designing some Posters, using photography, around a theme; Tear Away The Bully. More details to follow.

2. THE BEATBULLYZ

A Swindon Band, The BeatBullyz, recently won a national competition to appear on Holly Oaks. We are in talks with the band presently as they have agreed to write a song for us. We are raising funds presently to commission them to do this work for us. Further details to follow.

Rebecca Cole, Swindon 's 2008 entry in the Miss England Competition, has pledged her support to help Kids being bullied. Rebecca has offered to give talks across Swindon to schools about the importance of treating your mates with respect. Bullies often bully because they are jealous of their friends. Rebecca has a very moving story to tell about how she was bullied, just because she was different. Contact us if you would like to know more or if you would like Rebecca to come and talk at your School.

There are a number of practical things you can do if you are worried about your child or if you believe that your child is being bullied.

Ask your child to tell the bully to STOP. Ensure your diary keeps a diary, particularly if he/she finds it difficult to talk about the bullying. Inform a responsible adult. Now that your child has informed you, you need to take some positive steps to address the situation.

Whoever you are, whatever your age, whatever your role ; if you are struggling with bullying issues call us today on 0845 22 55 787

Help Stop Bullying Now

The only UK National Bullying Helpline for adults & children

Monday to Thursday 10am - 4pm

BULLYING HURTS

C.R.I. : CONFRONT. RECORD. INFORM.

1. POSTER COMPETITION

2. THE BEATBULLYZ