Are you ready for Anti-Bullying Week 2011?
4 October 2011
The Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA), part of leading charity the
National Children’s Bureau (NCB), is calling on all schools in
England to start preparing for Anti-Bullying
Week 2011, which takes place this year from 14-18 November.
Throughout Anti-Bullying Week, ABA and its 130 member
organisations will send the message that bullying is not acceptable
or inevitable in our schools and communities.
This year’s theme ‘Stop and think – words can hurt’ offers
schools and local authorities the opportunity to challenge verbal
bullying and the casual use of derogatory language which can lead
to bullying in schools and communities.
ABA wants to encourage schools and other settings to create
language charters which clarify what language is acceptable; giving
children and young people the tools they need to challenge others
about hurtful language, find new ways of expressing anger and upset
and make a conscious effort to speak positively.
To help plan for Anti-Bullying Week 2011, ABA has put together
an online briefing pack containing
essential information, advice and practical resources for schools,
colleges, youth workers, parents and carers. Anti-Bullying Week
posters, sticker packs, pin badges, pencils and rulers are also
available from ABA’s online shop to help encourage children and
young people to get involved in Anti-Bullying Week.
Sue Steel, Coordinator of the Anti-Bullying Alliance - based at
the National Children’s Bureau - said: ‘The use of offensive and
negative language is all too common in our schools and communities
and can turn into verbal bullying. This is just as serious as
physical bullying and it’s very important that it doesn’t go
unchallenged. Through Anti-Bullying Week 2011 we’re asking people
to tackle the use of casual derogatory language and prevent it from
turning in to bullying.’
The briefing pack is now available to download from
www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/anti-bullying_week-1.aspx
You can help combat bullying by making a donation to ABA at
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AntiBullyingAlliance
-Ends-
Notes to editors:
1. The Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA) is a unique coalition of
over 130 members from the voluntary, public and private sectors,
who work together to reduce bullying and create safer environments
in which children and young people can live, grow, play and learn.
ABA is based at the National Children’s Bureau. For more
information visit www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk
2. Anti-Bullying Week 2011 takes place 14-18 November 2011. This
year’s campaign marks the eighth anniversary of the week in
England. For more information on how you can get involved in
Anti-Bullying Week 2011, and for details of the 100’s of events
taking place throughout the country visit www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk
3. The National Children’s Bureau’s (NCB) mission is to advance
the well-being of all children and young people across every aspect
of their lives. As the leading national charity which supports
those working with children, young people and families across
England and Northern Ireland, we focus on identifying and
communicating high impact, community and family-centred solutions.
We work with organisations from across the voluntary, statutory and
private sectors through our membership scheme, and through the
sector-led networks and partnership programmes that operate under
our charitable status. For further information, visit www.ncb.org.uk
For further information please contact the NCB Media Office:
media@ncb.org.uk 0207 843 6044/5 07721 097 033