Anti-Bullying Week will this year focus on verbal bullying. Taking place from 14 to 18 November, the national campaign, being run under the banner of “stop and think – words can hurt”, is designed to highlight the challenges faced by schools and local authorities to tackle bullying through speech and the casual use of derogatory language.
The Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA), a coalition of over 130 members from the voluntary, public and private sectors, is calling on all schools in England to send out the message that bullying is not acceptable or inevitable.
The ABA is encouraging schools and other settings to create language charters making it clear what language is acceptable, and to give children and young people the tools they need to challenge the use of hurtful language. Pupils are also being encouraged to find new ways of expressing anger and upset, and make a conscious effort to speak positively.
“The use of offensive and negative language is all too common in our schools and communities and can turn into verbal bullying”, says ABA Coordinator Sue Steel. “This is just as serious as physical bullying and it’s very important that it doesn’t go unchallenged.”
A briefing pack, containing information, advice and resources for those living and working with young people, is available online, and Anti-Bullying Week posters, sticker packs, pin badges, pencils and rulers are available from ABA’s online shop: