Anti-Bullying week! 2020

Hey guys, I hope you are all well, welcome to another blog

 Anti-Bullying Week is aimed at sending a clear and positive message that bullying is neither acceptable nor inevitable in our schools and communities. 

What is Bullying? 

For Anti-Bullying Week, it’s important to discuss with children what bullying actually is. This way they can identify it if it happens in class and everyday life, and understand why it is wrong.

Bullying is any deliberate behaviour that is done to hurt or upset someone over an ongoing period of time. As such, it can happen anywhere that there are people, such as schools and places of work. Bullying can be done by an individual or a group of people in many different ways. 

This includes Verbal bullying, whereby someone is hurt through vicious words, name-calling or statements.

Physical bullying occurs when perpetrators physically cause harm to another person. Resultantly, bullies can exercise control over another and gain a sense of power. This type of bullying can vary from pushing and shoving to kicking, slapping and punching. This makes it the easiest form of bullying to identify and confront.

In contrast, Cyber Bullying is one of the most challenging forms to see and prevent. When occurring through the Internet, smartphones and social media, perpetrators can remain anonymous, whilst victims could suffer in silence. 

Cyber-bullying has no fixed location but instead could occur anywhere, from school property to a child’s home. In a world where social media and the use of smartphones is ever-increasing, cyberbullying deems particular importance for the protection and wellbeing of young children.

Facts on Bullying:

With the following facts, you could demonstrate the everyday prevalence of bullying with your class for this year’s Anti-Bullying Week.

• Before the age of 18, 45% of young people have experienced some sort of bullying.
• Over 16,000 children reject going to school because of bullying.
• 7/10 people from age 13-22 have experienced cyberbullying.

Anti-Bullying Week takes place in England from November 16th to the 20th. This nationwide event is organised by the Anti-Bullying Alliance and is intended to raise awareness of the issue of bullying among children, especially in schools. Children of all ages as well as parents and children are encouraged to get involved in the event and take part in activities that will help to shine a light on the problem of bullying and ways to help resolve the issue.

Parents, carers and teachers will also be asked to play an active role in preventing bullying, with the main focus this time around is demonstrating different ways to support young people and provide an open platform for them to talk about any issues they have with bullying. The main role that carers can provide is creating a safe environment where young people can feel like they are able to talk about their feelings and problems and will receive support.

A number of lesson plans and activities have been created and shared online for Anti-Bullying Week and downloading this content and making it a part of the classroom activities is a great way for teachers to get involved.

Here are a few more details about this year’s theme.

We are very pleased to announce that the theme for Anti-Bullying Week 2020 is: United Against Bullying. Anti-Bullying Week will happen from Monday 16th – Friday 20th November and will start with Odd Socks Day to mark the first day of Anti-Bullying Week.

We have worked with over 300 young people and 100 members of school staff to develop our theme for this year’s Anti-Bullying Week. Our Anti-Bullying Week 2020 manifesto for change:

This year, more than ever, we’ve witnessed the positive power that society can have when we come together to tackle a common challenge.

Anti-Bullying Week is no different. Bullying has a long-lasting effect on those who experience and witness it. But by channelling our collective power, through shared efforts and shared ambitions, we can reduce bullying together. From parents and carers to teachers and politicians, to children and young people, we all have a part to play in coming together to make a difference.

Thank you for the read and come back for more!

Thanks,

Becca x