The Northern Ireland Anti-Bullying Forum is pleased to announce that registration for Anti-Bullying Week 2013 is now open. 

Last year, over 600 schools across Northern Ireland took part in the week, aimed at highlighting all forms of bullying motivated by difference and prejudice.  This year, Anti-Bullying Week will take place from 18 to 22 November, under the title "I See, I Hear, I Feel".  This theme looks at how young people communicate with each other, both online and in the physical world, and the ways in which bullying can happen as part of this.  This could include name-calling, teasing, mocking, dirty looks, spreading gossip, nasty text messages and embarrassing posts online, to name just a few.

As in previous years, schools are being encouraged to register online to receive a free resource pack. This will include assembly plans, lesson activities and themed posters.  In addition, schools will be offered guidance on a range of preventative initiatives which they can use as part of an overall anti-bullying strategy. 

Click here to register.

Childline, a member of NIABF, is holding two information sessions about volunteering with the organisation.

Belfast Base - Tuesday 21 May at 3pm

Foyle Base - Tuesday 28 May at 6pm

Meet staff and volunteers and find out more about how the service helps hundreds of children in the local area and across the UK.  Both bases are  urgently looking for counselling volunteers who will help the children who contact the service work through their problems, and switchboard volunteers who are the first friendly voice heard when a young person calls the service. Full training and on-going support is provided.


If you would like to attend, simply call 020 7456 7770 (Foyle base) or 08448920245 (Belfast base)  to register your interest or to find out more. 

The Foyle ChildLine base is on 1st floor, Exchange House, Queen’s Quay, L’Derry
The Belfast Childline base is on 2nd Floor, Lanyon Building, Jennymount Industrial Estate, North Derby Street, Belfast

Lee Kane, NIABF's Regional Anti-Bullying Coordinator, recently met with students and staff from Belfast Met who participated in Anti-Bullying Week 2012.  Coordinated by Gerry Skelton (Belfast Met Lecturer and event Coordinator), Lee met with Health and Social Care Year 1 group that helped plan, prepare and deliver the College Anti-Bullying Initiative in November 2012.

The event was a tremendous success, helped by the attendance of a local MLA (Judith Cochrane) and College teaching and middle to senior managerial staff and students; which made a small but important contribution to Anti-Bully Week.
Speaking at the event, Lee praised the students for their obvious enthusiasm and commitment to anti-bullying within the college but also in their daily lives. He was very impressed by some of the student accounts of how they have subsequently felt empowered to challenge bullying and to take forward their message: 'Say NO to bullying', which featured on the t-shirts made for the event.















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Gerry and Chloe (Student Rep) expressed their appreciation for Lee’s support in coming to meet the group and the event was concluded by Gerry who stated: “It is important that a strong anti-bullying message goes out to all, not just students but wider society. We all must make a conscious and determined effort to challenge bullying in its myriad forms, and ensure we are safe people for victims to turn to and find much needed support."

The NIABF office will be closed from Friday 14 December until Monday 7 January. 

Remember, you can still contact the following organisations for support over the festive period:

ChildLine - 0800 11 11      www.childline.org.uk

Parents Helpline - 0808 8010 722      www.parentingni.org

LifeLine - 0808 808 8000     www.contactni.com

 ANTI-BULLYING WEEK TO CHALLENGE
 BULLYING BASED ON DIFFERENCE

Over 650 schools and youth groups across Northern Ireland will explore bullying based on difference and prejudice during this year’s Anti-Bullying Week, which runs from Monday 19th to Friday 23rd November.

Under the banner "Everybody is Somebody" this theme may relate to homophobic, disablist, sectarian or racist bullying.  Ultimately, if a person is perceived as being different to their peers, this can on occasion lead to an individual experiencing bullying.

Anti-Bullying Week is co-ordinated by the Northern Ireland Anti-Bullying Forum (NIABF) and supported by Translink.  NIABF is an interagency group hosted by the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) NI and funded by the Department of Education.
 
Lee Kane, NIABF’s Regional Anti-Bullying Co-ordinator, explains the opportunity that Anti-Bullying Week provides for teachers, youth workers and parents to talk to young people about respecting difference and to challenge bullying:

“The interest from schools, youth groups and parents in this year’s Anti-Bullying Week shows how important the issue of bullying is in our society and reaffirms our commitment to educate young people about diversity. By challenging negative stereotypes and reinforcing anti-bullying messages we can all emphasise that such behaviour is unacceptable. Children and young people’s participation is critical to implementing effective anti-bullying strategies.”

“Poster displays, themed assemblies presentations, lesson activities and whole school exercises are some of the activities taking place to engage pupils in understanding their role and responsibility in tackling bullying.”

Discussing this year’s theme Lee adds: “Research shows that young people think the children who are seen as being different are more likely to experience bullying in our schools and in our communities. It might be motivated by their gender; their real or perceived sexual orientation; if they have a disability; the colour of their skin; where they come from; their religion; what they look like; if they’re particularly good at sport, or not etc. No matter how it happens, or why it happens, all bullying is wrong, and we have a duty to challenge it.”

The Northern Ireland Anti-Bullying Forum recently ran an “Everybody is Somebody” creative competition to further engage pupils and asked them to submit art or creative writing entries using this theme. The competition attracted an overwhelming response, with over 1200 young people from across Northern Ireland taking part.  The prize winners will attend a special prize giving ceremony on Tuesday 20 November at Titanic Belfast.

This year’s Anti-Bullying Week is once again supported by Translink.  Anti-bullying messages will be disseminated to the public through poster displays at train and bus stations across Northern Ireland. Translink’s Ursula Kelleher, explains:

“There has been an overwhelming response from schools and youth groups to this year’s Anti-Bullying Week ensuring that thousands of young people are informed about the serious issue of bullying and how to tackle it effectively.

“By embracing diversity and respecting people’s differences, we are helping to build a happier, more rewarding school experience and providing young people with important life skills,” said Ursula.

You can now download the ABW12 posters by clicking the relevant links below.  You can display these on plasma screens, or print and put up on poster borads.

Primary age Posters      PDF Version      JPEG Version

Post-Primary Posters     PDF Version      JPEG Version

Irish Language Posters   PDF Version      JPEG Version (Primary)    JPEG Version (Post-Primary)

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SCHOOLS AND YOUTH CLUBS URGED TO REGISTER FOR ANTI-BULLYING WEEK
- Deadline for registration and anti-bullying competition Friday 28 September -

Schools and youth groups across Northern Ireland are being urged to register for this year’s Anti-Bullying Week (19-23November) before Friday 28 September.

Over 600 schools from across Northern Ireland took part in last year’s Anti-Bullying Week.  This year schools and youth clubs are also being encouraged to take part in the “Everybody is Somebody” creative competition, the results of which will be showcased during the week long programme of events in November.   

Anti-Bullying Week is co-ordinated by the Northern Ireland Anti-Bullying Forum (NIABF) and is supported by Translink.  NIABF is an interagency group hosted by the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) NI and funded by the Department of Education.  

Anti-Bullying Week 2012 will focus on bullying based on difference.  This could include homophobic, disablist, sectarian or racist bullying, or indeed any way that a young person may experience bullying because they are seen as being different from their peers.

Lee Kane, NIABF’s Regional Anti-Bullying Co-ordinator, urges all teachers and youth leaders to take the opportunity that Anti-Bullying Week presents to talk to young people about respecting difference:

“Bullying can cause a great deal of distress and it is important that all young people are aware of the implications of such behaviour.   By actively reinforcing anti-bullying messages at every opportunity this creates an environment where it is more difficult for bullying to occur unchallenged.

“Children and young people sometimes experience bullying because someone thinks they’re different, It might be motivated by their gender, their real or perceived sexual orientation, if they have a disability, the colour of their skin, where they come from, their religion, what they look like, if they’re particularly good at sport, or not, or a whole range of different things.

“We’re asking young people to think about how someone may be bullied because of others thinking they’re different, and what they can do to stop it.”

Lee adds: “In order to actively take part in Anti-Bullying Week 2012, we are urging schools to register online for free at www.endbullying.org.uk before Friday 28 September.  Once registered, schools will receive a free specially created anti-bullying resource pack, which includes assembly plans, lesson activities and themed posters.  Guidance will also be offered on preventative initiatives which can be used as part of an overall anti-bullying strategy.

“We are also encouraging everyone to get involved and submit entries for this year’s creative competition before Friday 28th September.  Themed on ‘Everybody is Somebody’, there are two categories - art and creative writing.   Within the art category, young people can submit drawings, paintings, sculptures or photographs, while in the creative writing category entries could take the form of poetry, short stories, diaries, songs and drama scripts.  It’s up to young people what they write about and how they do it.”
 
This year’s Anti-Bullying Week is once again supported by Translink.  Anti-bullying messages will be disseminated to the public through poster displays at train and bus stations across NI. Welcoming this year’s Anti-Bullying Week, Translink’s Ursula Kelleher, said:

“Our buses and trains are used by a wide variety of people and we believe that embracing diversity is a very important life skill that can really enrich pupils’ experiences at school. By respecting each other’s differences and valuing alternative perspectives, outlooks and even appearances we are building a more inclusive, friendly and happy school environment. We are also ensuring that young people are better equipped to accept diversity when they leave school and enter high education and the workplace.”

St Ita’s Primary School in Belfast is just one of the many schools that have already signed up for Anti-Bullying Week 2012.  Principal, Joanne Browne, explains why it’s an important week in the school calendar:
“We have been involved in the anti-bullying campaign since our school opened in September 2005. The anti-bullying campaign has a very meaningful focus each year which we can all relate to and which helps us focus on our anti-bullying policy. It provides a time in the year when all stakeholders examine their role in stamping out bullying. The resources available are wonderful and very accessible to all age groups. Lots of discussion at home and at school, art work, role play and school based competitions ensure that children are aware of our anti- bullying procedures and their right to a safe and happy learning environment.”

To find out more about the competition or to register your school or community group online for Anti-Bullying Week 2012 log on to www.endbullying.org.uk before Friday 28 September 2012. 

Two Team GB athletes have spoken out about trolling, with one leading to the arrest of a 17 year old in Weymouth, England.

Yesterday Tom Daley, who missed out on a medal in the 10m synchronised diving with partner Peter Waterfield, spoke out against a message he had received on Twitter.  The message said he had "let your dad down", referring to the death of his father, Rob, in 2011.  Dorset Police have confirmed that they have arrested a 17 year old man on suspicion of malicious communications.  For more on this story, click here.

Meanwhile, Zoe Smith set a new British weightlifting record on her way to an 11th place finish in the women's 58kg event.  Smith said her weightlifting display at London 2012 had sent a clear message to her Twitter abusers.  Speaking previously, she talked about how she had received messages on the social networking website calling her "ugly", a "bloke" and a "lesbian".  For more on this story, click here.

NIABF would remind everyone of the need to "think before you click".  Using social networking websites during the Olympics is a great way to chat about the sports you are watching, to celebrate successes and commisserate disappointments.  But remember to use these tools safely and responsibly.

If you are sending a tweet or message to an athelete, or even to other supporters, just take a few minutes to think about what you're writing.  Is it something you would say to his or her face?  Is it likely to cause them offence or to hurt their feelings?  If you're not sure, don't send.

For more information about cyber bullying, click here.

Bullying- it’s never right.  It takes place in lots of different ways, for lots of different reasons, but it’s never ok.  Often, bullying happens because someone is seen as being “different”, and others have a problem with that.  We need to stop it.  We need to make it better.

Perhaps you have experienced bullying, because someone throught you were “different”.  Or maybe you witnessed someone being picked on because they didn’t fit in.  What do you think schools and youth groups can do to stop young people being bullied because of difference?  What would make it better?

We want to hear your ideas for what we should do about this!  Imagine you’re talking to the principal of a school or leader of a youth group- what would you tell them they need to do to stop people being bullied?  What do they need to do to make it better?

We're asking young people, up to the age of 25, to send us their ideas on what schools can do to tackle bullying motivated by difference and prejudice.  You can write a letter, record a video or audio message, or even draw us a picture.  You don't have to put your name on it, but it would be great if you could tell us how old you are, and give us the first bit of your postcode (eg. BT99).  You can post it to us at:

Making It Better
NIABF, NCB NI
Albany House
73-75 Great Victoria St
BELFAST
BT2 7AF

Or send it by email to:  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Or you can send a message by clicking here.

For the terms, click here.

Thanks!