Warwickshire News Mine

The theme of Anti-Bullying Week (November 19 to 23) is ‘Safer together, safer wherever’, and people, young and old, are being encouraged to add their support for the online pledge by signing it at http://www.wpthezone.co.uk/cyberbullying

Cyberbullying involves the use of technology such as mobile phones, email and internet social networking sites to deliberately cause upset to another person.

Government research conducted as part of the recent Department for Children, Schools and Families’ cyberbullying information campaign found that 34 per cent of 12 to 15-year-olds reported that they had been cyberbullied.

The launch of an online pledge by Warwickshire County Council and Warwickshire Police in conjunction with other partners is a major step to reduce incidents of technological bullying.

By signing up, people will pledge to:
- Always respect others
- Keep their passwords private
- Block the bullying message
- Not retaliate or reply
- Save the evidence
- Make sure they tell someone

Councillor Izzi Seccombe, Cabinet Member Children’s Services, said: “Cyberbullying is a particularly disturbing form of bullying and we are urging people to help Warwickshire’s Anti-Bullying Partnership engage children and young people in the reduction of this by signing the online pledge.

“It is very upsetting for children to receive abusive or threatening text messages. We hope the pledge will help to eradicate this form of bullying in Warwickshire.”

Bill Holland, Assistant Chief Constable for Warwickshire Police, said: "Warwickshire Police is committed to protecting our public from harm. Promoting safety through the use of our online pledge will alert people to the worry and anxiety that can be caused by Cyberbullying, and encourage more respect for one another.

“A particular problem with Cyberbullying is the way it can target people in their own homes, meaning that victims feel under threat wherever they are. Anyone can register their support by using our online pledge."

The online pledge is just one strand of a week-long blitz on bullying. The Warwickshire Anti-Bullying Partnership - consisting of Warwickshire County Council, Schools, Warwickshire Police and a range of other agencies including Connexions, Victim Support and Relate – is launching a full anti-bullying strategy.

The strategy defines different types of bullying and sets out clear aims for tackling bullying including developing a quality standard ‘kite mark’ for organisations who take positive action on the subject.

Link to WCC