Concern at rise in cyber bullying
The number of children falling foul of cyber bullying is on the rise.
Members of West Sussex County Council’s children and young people’s services select committee expressed concern at the use of technology to bully others.
Papers tabled at a committee meeting on Thursday (October 4) stated that the bullying was evident among children aged over 12.
The committee was considering a wide-ranging annual report for the West Sussex Local Safeguarding Children Board.
A section on bullying said the West Sussex Action Against Bullying service support line, for parents, carers and professionals, had received 377 calls from individuals concerned about the problem.
Of these calls, 236 children were directed to a casework service, and went on to receive support.
Fifty-eight per cent concerned children of primary school age and 38 per cent of secondary school age, with a smaller number of community based bullying reports.
Cases not resolved at first contact were signposted to children’s social care or the police.
Due to targeted promotion of the support line, there had been an increase in the reporting of bullying of children and young people with disabilities - a total of 27.
The report stated that, as well as helping victims, the support line had worked with 16 perpetrators of bullying.
The report added: “All cases worked with so far have been closed successfully, with an agreed positive outcome for the child or young person.”
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