Anti- Bullying Summit

Families, pupils, teachers, school staff and national experts have gathered in Dundee for a special anti-bullying summit.

The event, which was staged at St Pauls Academy, was designed to listen to the voices of young people in particular as the city’s primary and secondary schools develop their policies against bullying.

Lorraine Glass, Interim Director of respectme, Scotland's Anti-Bullying Service. addressed the gathering.

Workshops were held to allow views to be shared among different shareholder groups.

Depute Children, Families and Communities Convener Councillor Roisin Smith said: “The voices of children, young people and families are very important to us.

“Schools develop their own policies using the main council template, so it is important that we listen to the voices of our young people as they do so, and that we all never stop learning and work hard to protect our young people.

“We can never be complacent about this issue. This special seminar shows how we value the input of families into the process as their views really matter.”

Lorraine Glass, Interim Director of respectme, Scotland's Anti-Bullying Service added: “We know that the impact of bullying can be profound and can have both short- and long-term effects on the physical, emotional and mental wellbeing of children and young people, sometimes well into adulthood.

“Bullying is a violation of children’s rights. Children and young people must be protected from bullying behaviour so that they can survive, develop, and participate in a fulfilling life and as adults we all have an important role to play to help protect these rights.

“When we respond to bullying incidents children and young people are listening intently. They are noticing whether we seem interested, whether we seem too busy to stop and have a conversation, or if we are taking it seriously and care enough to take action.

“Responding to bullying it is an opportunity to connect with young people and communicate the message that bullying is never acceptable and is neither a normal nor an inevitable part of growing-up. We can show them that we want to

be there to help and support them through this difficult time, through action for change, and restoration of a hopeful perspective to young lives.”