Anti-Bullying Campaign 2024: Compulsory Code of Practice for Schools and Support for Victims
The Bearded Fishermen organization has launched a new campaign to address the increasing issue of bullying in schools and its devastating effects on students. The campaign aims to push for a compulsory code of practice for all schools and an anti-bullying policy that is similar to the ones used in the workplace.
According to the organization, this campaign is a crucial step towards changing legislation and working with the government and school boards to ensure that schools have updated and effective policies in place to protect students from all forms of bullying, including cyberbullying and social media attacks. The organization emphasizes that this issue has led to numerous deaths by suicide and attempted suicides, making it an urgent matter that needs to be addressed.
The Bearded Fishermen organization is also partnering with the suicide prevention support line, offering 24/7 support to those struggling with mental health and suicidal thoughts. As part of the campaign, the organization will be organizing a protest against bullying in schools and is calling for the participation of both students and parents.
In addition, the organization is raising funds to help support children and adults who are being bullied. They have set up a 24/7 support call number and are running an awareness campaign to reach out to more people and bring them into the cause. As a symbol of support for the campaign, the organization has also designed t-shirts and hoodies with the message “Stop Bullying – Prevent Suicide,” and encourages children and adults to wear them to spread awareness and support the cause.
The organization is planning a mass event in February 2025, where children and parents from all over the UK will join together to show their support for the “Stop Bullying – Prevent Suicide” campaign and raise awareness about school policies and inadequate procedures to address bullying. The organization is calling on everyone to participate by wearing the t-shirts and hoodies and sharing pictures on social media with the hashtag #bfstopbullying.
Moreover, the organization has set up a petition page to gather 100,000 signatures, which will be presented to the House of Commons for review. They are urging the public to share the link and get as many signatures as possible. The organization has also created a Facebook page for the Anti-Bullying Campaign to keep everyone updated on the progress.
The Bearded Fishermen organization has set up a GoFundMe support page and a clothing store for t-shirts and hoodies, with all proceeds going towards supporting victims of bullying and implementing new support lines and training.
In light of the alarming increase in bullying in schools, the organization raises the question of why this issue is not being adequately addressed. According to the Schools Minister and Education Department, it is the responsibility of each individual Head of School to manage bullying in their school. This approach, however, has been deemed as a recipe for disaster, with schools prioritizing their image and Ofsted results over addressing the problem.
The organization stresses the need for a more transparent and open approach to addressing bullying in schools, with proper documentation and recording of incidents, as well as conducting formal investigations. They also emphasize the importance of involving parents and experts in finding solutions to address the issue, rather than relying solely on teachers who may not have the necessary skills to handle such cases.
The organization suggests that anti-bullying policies should include clear communication, reporting procedures, a code of practice, and training for staff to recognize and address different forms of bullying. They also remind parents of the schools’ statutory obligation to ensure the safety of all students and provide resources and support for those whose children are being bullied.
For more information and resources, parents can visit the National Bullying Helpline website or call their helpline at 0300 323 0169 or 0845 22 55 787. The Bearded Fishermen organization also offers a bullying support line at 0300 365 0019.
