IPPN

Efforts to help combat bullying [IrishExaminer]

Published: 26 October 2010

AN escalation of child bullying, including cyber-bullying, has prompted the Social and Health Education Project (SHEP) in Cork to organise a course for parents.

The long-established Cork-based training organisation is offering an evening course to support parents and help them to help their children.

According to SHEP the escalation of bullying in both primary and secondary schools in recent years is compounded by the onset of cyber-bullying.

Statistics show that one in five second-year girls has been cyberbullied, and one in four has received threatening phone calls.

Although a recent EU survey found that in Ireland the percentage of children who had experienced cyber-bullying was amongst the lowest of the 23 countries polled, at 4%, the anecdotal evidence presents a very real concern to parents.

Kerri FitzGerald, training and development worker with SHEP, said the organisation runs courses for parents on a number of different issues.

"So we are well-placed to work with them on the issue of bullying. Discovering they are not alone with their problems and the power of working in a small group can bring great strength to people," Ms FitzGerald said.

Full Story: www.irishexaminer.com