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Why Tackle Bullying?
Bullying takes place anywhere and everywhere:
in schools, in the home and within the community. It damages
children and young people’s physical and mental health, their
ability to learn as well as their ability to build and sustain
relationships. It can also destroy self-esteem with the effects
sometimes lasting into adult life. For a small few, it leads to
self harm and even suicide.
Local authorities must take the lead
Bullying causes harm to those who bully, to
those who are bullied, to those bystanders who witness it, and to
family members and the wider school community and this is now
recognised and reflected within our laws and guidance. Local
authorities need to take the lead in delivering an effective and
coordinated response to bullying; through working particularly with
schools but also with all organisations involved in working with
children and young people.
Bullying is recognised as a major concern for
children and young people, and for their parents or carers. This is
supported by research and statistics, conversations with children
and young people, by the work of the Office of the Children’s
Commissioner, and through the number of calls made to
ChildLine each year.