Bullying

Your school days should be the best days of your life. But it is a sad fact that many young people suffer from an unhappy home or school life, bullying, anxiety about their weight, sexual orientation or exams.

A survey conducted by Childline found 1 in 4 secondary school pupils had been bullied in the last year.

If you are scared or just need to talk to someone, there are many organisations and groups who are there to help.

Through the Community Health Working Party a diary page for local schools has been designed that contains useful information and help line numbers.

Why not get to The Point or The Base for youth information and advice on relationships, work, benefits, housing and health.

Remember, you deserve to enjoy your childhood.

Results from the 2004 Crime Audit

Bullying is one issue within schools that can lead to the isolation of pupils and to further problems in later life. The Hampshire County Youth Survey (HCYS) shows that 23% of respondents indicated that they felt bullying was a problem that young people have to live with in Hampshire. The Youth Survey carried out by the Audit Team illustrates 61 out of 270 respondents had been a victim of bullying within the last twelve months. Of these 31 indicated that incidents occurred at school or just before or after school. Schools do have an obligation regarding bullying. ‘Since September 1999, schools have had specific duties to combat bullying, and must have anti-bullying policies and procedures in place’ (Teachernet, 2004).

Many schools employ counsellors in order to offer further support to their students if the need arises. The council’s Community Safetysection, on behalf of the ‘Safer Hart’ partnership, has also taken measures to reduce the instances of bullying and to ensure young people know where to turn if they need help. This has been achieved through the distribution of postcards and through the introduction of a ‘diary page’ that is stuck into students’ diaries detailing the help numbers for various needs.

• ACORN Drug and Alcohol Service 01276 62566
• Anti Bullying Campaign Helpline 020 7378 1446
• Childline 0800 1111
• Commission form Racial Equality 020 7939 0000
• Eating Disorders Association
• Adults 0845 634 1414
• Young People 0845 634 7650
• Exam Stress Websites
• www.childline.org.uk
• Lesbian and Gay Switchboard 020 7837 7324
• Hart Voluntary Action 01252 815652
• Kidscape (Bullying Helpline) 020 7730 3300
• NSPCC 0800 800 5000
• Relateen 01256 324364
• Samaritans 0845 790 9090
• Traveller Liaison 01252 714700
• The Base 01256 761897
• Young Carers 01420 544255 ext 654
• Young Minds 0800 0182138
• Youth Access 020 8772 9900