Commission meets to discuss action on bullying
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THE team of representatives Cheshire’s police and crime commissioner came together to tackle bullying and has been listening to the experiences of victims in the county.
Commission members set out the outcomes and work streams for the project and also discussed case studies that were captured over the summer when the commissioner and his team travelled across the county to give victims of bullying the opportunity to tell their story.
The case studies not only detail individuals’ experiences of bullying but also what support they received and what further support they would like to see put in place.
The first stage of the project has been focusing on giving people under 25 a voice. The second and third stages will explore workplace bullying and targeting of older people.
The evidence will be used to develop recommendations for police and other criminal justice organisations, education establishments and elected representatives to consider how they can provide more protection for victims of bullying.
PCC David Keane said: “Over the last few months we’ve spoken to hundreds of local residents who have either experienced bullying themselves or have a close friend or family member who has been victim to bullying. We have heard firsthand the devastating effect bullying has had on too many people’s lives.
“At Chester Pride alone we spoke to 236 people. 209 of them had experienced bullying in some form. This is not acceptable. We need to do more to protect both children and adults from bullying. ”
The Anti-Bullying Commission is chaired by Alan Yates, a former Cheshire headteacher, with Cheshire’s chief constable Darren Martland, the commissioner and representatives from children’s services, academia, the community and the Cheshire Youth Commission.
Mr Yates said: “We have seen an increase in incidences of bullying in our schools and workplaces over recent years. The advent of technology also means that bullying can be relentless with bullies using social media.
“I’m pleased Cheshire’s AntiBullying Commission is giving victims the opportunity to tell their story and to improve support services for others.”
The call-for-evidence for under
25s will remain open until the end of November 2019 with the commission meeting regularly to review case-studies before reporting on the findings in early 2020.
● As well as attending public events residents can tell their story online by clicking visiting https:// cheshire-pcc.gov.uk/what-im-doing/ get-involved/public-consultations/ open-consultations/anti-bullyingcommission-call-for-evidence/