By Shawna Healey
This week, marks Britain’s anti-bullying week, celebrated by the Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA). The theme this year is “Choose respect”, where the ABA is offering resources and tools to schools in Britain.
The organisation is asking all people participating to observe Odd Socks day to observe how “no matter our differences, we are all the same” and should be treated with respect.
Andy Day, Cbeebies presenter and BAFTA Children’s Awards winner, and ABA patron, along his band Andy and the Odd Socks, are supporting Anti-Bullying Week 2018 and are encouraging students to wear odd socks to school during the campaign to show their support and raise money for a good cause.
The charity, Bullying UK, is hoping to raise £100,000 to help those affected by bullying. Last Friday marked the third annual Wear Blue Day, where participating schools, colleges and other organisations wear blue to raise awareness and money for anti-bullying.
What is anti-Bullying week?
The Anti-Bullying Aliance carried out a consultation with over 800, children teachers and members of the ABA and found that showing that bullying is a behaviour choice, and that young people can set a positive example by opting to respect each other at school, in their communities, and online is a top priority.
According to the ABAs website, the say that, “The aims of this week are to support schools and other settings to help children and young people, school staff, parents and other professionals who work with children to understand the definition of respect, that bullying is a behaviour choice and we need to choose to respect each other both face to face and online.”
Martha Evans, National Coordinator of the Anti-Bullying Alliance, said: “The feedback from children and teachers on the theme has been really encouraging and we are excited to announce the plans for this year’s campaign. They want to send the message loud and clear that bullying is a behaviour choice, and by choosing respect for others, even when we disagree with them, can create a positive atmosphere where we can all grow, play and learn.”
On the 15th of November, the ABA will be holding its first anti-cyberbullying day, Stop Speak Support, supported by the Royal Foundation.
The Taskforce on the Prevention of Cyberbullying was established by The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry to work with the technology industry to develop a series of commitments to help prevent the cyberbullying of children and young people, together with the guidance and expertise of charities, not-for-profit organisations and independent advisors.
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