‘It’s not inevitable, help is out there’

IT’S good to see the spotlight shine on bullying during Anti-bullying Week each year, but it can be overwhelming if all we are faced with are hard-hitting statistics and desperately sad stories.

Bullying is frightening – it can have serious long-term consequences – but there is a message of hope.

Since the 1980s Kidscape (a London-based charity established in 1985 with a focus on children’s safety and an emphasis on the prevention of harm by equipping children with techniques and mindsets that help them stay safe) has transformed the lives of children and families through our free ZAP workshops that teach practical skills to stand up to bullying behaviour, and our advice line for parents and carers. We have also trained tens of thousands of teachers to recognise bullying and take decisive action to stop it.

Bullying is not inevitable. Help is at hand. LAUREN SEAGER-SMITH KIDSCAPE