Inaugural International Day Against Violence and Bullying in Schools aims to eliminate fear and violence for students

The first ever International Day Against Violence and Bullying at School including Cyberbullying takes place today, Thursday 5 November.

Led by UNESCO, the initiative aims to help eliminate violence and bullying at school including cyberbullying, so that all children and young people can fulfil their right to education, health and well-being. 

The day calls on all countries, organisations and people to come together with the common purpose of ensuring schools are free from fear and violence. It will be observed on the first Thursday of November each year.

As UNESCO Chair on Tackling Bullying in Schools and Cyberspace at Dublin City University, Professor James O’Higgins Norman said:

"This International Day provides all of us with an opportunity to think about what we are doing in schools and the wider community to tackle these issues.

Already the Government has put in place a number of supports for schools including dedicated anti-bullying and child protection procedures. 

Here at DCU we have partnered with the Department of Education & Skills, Rethink Ireland and Facebook to deliver a national anti-bullying and online safety programme for schools called FUSE which is available free to every school in Ireland. The programme shows that through education parents, school staff and children can learn how to tackle bullying and to be safer online, with 86% of students who took part in FUSE reporting that they are better able to recognise bullying and cyberbullying and how to report it. The work we are doing at DCU suggests that education programmes can make a real difference in tackling bullying". 

The theme for this year’s International Day is Together against bullying in school as bullying affects students of all ages, in all countries and regions across the world. 

A recent UNESCO report shows:

• Almost one in three students have been bullied in the past month, making it the most prevalent form of violence in schools. 
• One in ten students has been cyberbullied, and this form of bullying is on the rise.
• Students who are frequently bullied are nearly three times more likely to feel like an outsider at school and more than twice as likely to miss school as those who are not frequently bullied. They have worse educational outcomes and are also more likely to leave formal education after finishing secondary school. They are twice as likely to feel lonely, to be unable to sleep at night and to have contemplated suicide.
• Physical appearance is the top reason for bullying, followed by ethnicity, nationality and skin colour. Students who are seen as different in any way are more at risk of bullying, such as girls perceived to look or act like boys, or boys perceived to look or act like girls.
• Too many people think bullying school including cyberbullying is an inevitable rite of passage to adulthood and that is relatively harmless and that little can be done to stop it. Instead, there is strong evidence that violence and bullying at school can be prevented, and effectively addressed if it happens. No student should live in fear of going to school.

Speaking about these findings and welcoming the initiative by UNESCO, President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, said: 

“These are appalling findings of deep concern, demonstrating that the need for heightened awareness of an issue that demands an appropriate set of policy responses to tackle its far-reaching consequences. This violence, for that is what it is, must be brought to an end with support from all of us.”

“Children are the future, they are agents of change within their own schools and communities, and they rightly continue to demand more urgent action on these important issues.

We need strong leadership at every level, and with public support, to tackle these issues which affect so many children and young people to the detriment of their education and quality of life, impacting on their future life circumstances and happiness. It requires collaboration between all those involved. It will depend on the community, better teacher training, and improved school environments that will promote tolerance, inclusivity and equality. What is most important is acknowledging that we must address all the root causes of violence and promote a culture of respect for students’ rights and of zero tolerance to bullying and violence.

Ending child and young violence is possible. Let us all do what we can to achieve this goal as a matter of urgency.”

Minister for Education Norma Foley TD also welcomed the initiative and marked its significance with a video message of support:

“On behalf of the Irish Government and school communities throughout the country I want to welcome this declaration by the UN and the fact the first Thursday in November each year is now designated as the International Day Against Violence and Bullying in Schools including Cyberbullying.

We are all aware of the very serious impacts bullying in schools can have and of the long term consequences it can have – preventing those affected from enjoying their school days and reaching their full potential.” 

“Our education system plays a pivotal role in equipping children and young people with the knowledge and competencies to deal with the risks and challenges that they may face including the risk of being bullied.  Within the school curriculum, particularly the wellbeing area of learning, the aim is to provide children and young people with the knowledge and skills to protect themselves and others from all forms of dangerous behaviour including bullying behaviour.

I am hoping that today as the designated day against school bullying and violence will help raise awareness in Ireland among students, teachers, parents and the broader school community not only of the dangers of bullying but also on the huge range of resources, information and help that is available to target and deal with all forms of bullying behaviour.”

For further information about #stopbullying or to view the full video messages of support for the initiative visit tacklebullying.ie