Swindon LSCB - News

Anti-Bullying Week: 19th - 23rd November 2007

'Safer Together, Safer Whenever'

Anti-Bullying Week is an annual event, organized by the Anti-Bullying Alliance, a national body, funded by the National Children’s Bureau.

Bullying can have a devastating and long lasting effect on victims.  It can lead to stress, low self-esteem, depression and in the worst case scenario, suicide.  It can have a negative effect on school attendance and behaviour and educational attainment.

The Facts

Childline reports that bullying is the single biggest reason that children contact them.

• Over half of primary (51%) and secondary school pupils (54%) thought that bullying was ‘a big problem’ or ‘quite a big problem’ in their school.
• Just over half (51%) of pupils in year 5 reported that they had been bullied during the term, compared with just over a quarter (28%) of pupils in year 8.

Number One Concern

• Locally a survey found that the number one concern from children and young people was personal safety.

Activities & Events in Swindon for Anti-Bullying Week

• School Visitors -many local organisations will be visiting local schools and colleges as part of an ongoing policy of supporting anti-bullying initiatives and promotion of their particular services.
• Song Writing Competition (13-19 year olds) - with celebrity judges including Wiltshire born Simon May, composer of the award-winning 'Eastenders' theme tune - run through Swindon Music Service.  The winning song will be professionally recorded and played on local radio.
• Poetry Competition (7-11 and 12-16 year olds) - organised by Artsmad.  Prizes include performance workshops at the schools of the 2 winners.
• End of Week Celebration Event - Friday 23rd November 2007 - Two 1 ½-hour celebration events (one Primary and one Secondary) will be held at Dorcan Technology College, with contributions from schools, representatives of organisations supporting the week, finalists of the poetry and music competitions.

You will find a selection of links to websites with information about bullying in our section for children and young people.

October 2007