4 In 5 North East Teachers Say Bullying's A Problem

20 November 2014, 06:00 | Updated: 20 November 2014, 06:41

New research reveals that 84% of North East teachers and support staff believe bullying is a problem in their schools.

The study, by the Diana Award Anti-Bullying Programme also found 42% of school staff feel they haven't been given enough training to tackle bullying

Diana Award Anti-Bullying Programme is teaming up with Facebook to run ground-breaking internet safety workshops for teachers and school staff during National Anti-Bullying Week

The research also found that 59% of young people say they have experienced bullying, with over 80% of this verbal and just under a quarter occurring via mobile phone or online.

A quarter of those surveyed claim to have no knowledge of how their schools are helping to tackle these issues.

As part of National Anti-Bullying Week, the Diana Award Anti-Bullying Programme and Facebook will be running internet safety workshops up and down the country for teachers and support staff to help combat this important issue - teaching them how to spot issues, report harmful content or bad behaviour, and prevent instances of bullying online.

Tessy Ojo, Chief Executive of the Diana Award, said:
"The latest statistics show how important it is to not only empower and give confidence to young people, but also to give teachers and support staff the tools and training they need to tackle bullying in their school.

The Anti-Bullying Ambassador Programme is designed to do just that.

This is critical in implementing an effective Anti-bullying strategy that prevents and supports young victims of bullying. Bullying, no matter how it happens, is always wrong."

Simon Milner, Policy Director for Facebook said:
"Bullying isn't acceptable online or offline and we believe in a culture where people feel empowered to address it when they see it.

Teachers and educators are clearly an important part of the solution, which is why we work with schools and organisations across the country to provide them with the practical advice and support they need to help combat this issue.

Through the Facebook Guide for Educators and new initiatives like these internet safety workshops we're providing the resources needed to tackle bullying in all forms."