We are the UK's only bullying
helpline for both adults and children - for bullying in the community,
home, the workplace and the playground.
CYBER
BULLYING is 'any form of bullying that is
carried out using technology', including bully-blogging
and happy-slapping. Don't use your mobile or the internet to undermine
or bully another person - it's not clever! It is a crime in fact!
More and more cases are being reported to us at The National Bullying
Helpline affecting both adults and children - in the workplace
and in the community.
THE POWER
OF A HELPLINE: During November 2009 a mother called the
helpline regarding concerns relating to her 6 year old son. The
call triggered a Police investigation, initiated by us. Subsequently,
4 young children were identified as being at risk of sexual abuse
and those children are now receiving the support they need. They
are now safe! That is the power of just one call to our helpline.
In another recent case a 12 year old girl emailed us a 'suicide
note' in which she alleged she had been raped. We triggered the
emergency services and we are pleased to report that this girl
is now safe!
25 AUGUST
2009 - 2010: Swindon Wildcats (Ice Hockey Team) Adopt The National
Bullying Helpline Charity for the 2009/10 season. Fixtures details
below/right. The
Swindon Wildcats (Ice Hockey team) are a truly community orientated
sports club and they are working with schools and kids across
Swindon; through roadshows and in respect of their 'learn to skate'
programme. They are also supporting The National Bullying Helpline
Charity as part of their school visits programme and through a
fund-raising initiative for the Charity. Anyone struggling with
bullying issues should eat well and exercise regularly. These
are two important messages The Swindon Wildcats and The National
Bullying Helpline Charity want to promote across Wiltshire schools
in tech run up to National Ban Bullying week : 16 -20 November
2009. For more information contact us or see www.swindonwildcats.com
POLICE
SERVICE AGREEMENT: Ultimately, we deal with cases of
discrimination and harassment - but disturbing cases of physical
bullying, such as assault or even sexual abuse are also being
reported to us. We have established a Service Agreement with Wiltshire
Police and we work closely with them where adults or children
are considered to be at risk. Call us for details.
SPONSORSHIP:
Swindon Wildcats have adopted us as their charity for the 2009/2010
season. Swindon Wildcats (Ice Hockey) want to work closely with
us to help us raise awareness. Together, Willie Wildcat (their
mascot) and The National Bullying Helpline are partnering to visit
in excess of 30 schools in Wiltshire. Recently we have visited
Peatmore, Gorse Hill infants, Holy Rood Junior, Fynamore and St
Bartholomews, Lainsmead Primary, Swindon New College, Eldene Primary
and St Joseph’s Catholic School – where 11 schools
gathered as part of an anti-bullying event to mark National Ban
Bullying week. Well done St Joseph’s !
Other activities include projects
that employers, nationally, have organised to celebrate this important
anniversary; such as dress-down-days and fund-raising events for
us.
Swindon Borough Council launched
an Anti Bullying Vision , chaired by Christine Pratt of The National
Bullying Helpline, in consultation with organisations that work
with young people and their families. Our new Vision sets out
the 7 main principles considered essential when combating bullying
amongst children. If you would like to know more please contact
us at admin@nationalbullyinghelpline.co.uk
Thank
you for your support and keep in touch.
From
all of us at The National Bullying Helpline.
The
only helpline in the UK that assists both adults and children
!
ANNUALLY
7 NOVEMBER: NATIONAL BAN
BULLYING AT WORK DAY. Each year
we have marked the day in memory of Andrea Adams and Tim Field
and all those who have dedicated their lives to eliminating workplace
bullying. Please consider organising an event at work during this
period. Call us for ideas. Thank you.
SECOND
WEEK OF NOVEMBER: NAITONAL BAN BULLYING WEEK.
This is an annual event. We are organising a lot
of events this year. Please contact us if you would like to get
involved. Thank you.
2009 EVENTS
11
OCTOBER: SWINDON HALF MARATHON :
The event was a tremendous success.
Some of our VOlunteers ran the Marathon for us. Would you like
to take part in the 2010 run? Contact
us today on 0845 22 55 787 if you would like to take part in
the marathon and raise funds for us. We are one of the chosen
charities supporting this event.
20 SEPTEMBER:
Lydia stood on the fourth plinth at Trafalgar Square.
See Sponsorship
page.
19 SEPTEMBER: 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'.
April 2009 : THE ANNE
FRANK STORY. In April 2009 Swindon Borough Council promoted
the Anne Frank Story across Schools and Colleges in Wiltshire
to educate children about the importance of anti-bullying and
discrimination issues. The National Bullying Helpline played a
major role in this initiative.
7
March 2009 : THE TV SHOW CHANNEL 4.
Christine
Pratt, CEO of The National Bullying Helpline appeared on The TV
Show, Channel 4, 7th March 2009. A panel debated complaints submitted
to Channel 4 following the 4 part 'Boys & Girls Alone'
documentary. We say these children in this documentary were NOT
placed at risk at all, that they were very well supervised and
that the experience is unlikely to cause the children to suffer
long-term psychological damage. Expert Child Psychologists disagree
and allege that these children have been exploited. If anyone
believes that the children appearing in the Boys & Girls series
were bullied, or that the spats that occurred were not appropriately
'nipped in the bud' and addressed - we would invite you to come
and spend just half a day at our call centre in Wiltshire. Consider
the experience at our call centre as part of your CPD (personal
development training). You will find the experience truly enlightening.