Press Releases

3 June 2008                         

Schools will soon break up for the summer holiday but not all children will be able to enjoy it without fear of being bullied. According to new ChildLine figures more than 2000 children were counselled by the helpline about bullying in August last year.

This suggests that bullies are targeting their victims beyond the school gates and into their homes via mobile phones and the internet.

These figures come as the NSPCC launches this year's Defeat Bullying campaign supported by BT, providers of ChildLine's free 0800 11 11 number.  The initiative is calling on head teachers across the country to sign their schools up and take a stand against bullying this Friday 6 June.
 
The children's charity is offering teachers free Defeat Bullying materials including lesson plans that combine ideas to stimulate pupil discussion and explore attitudes about bullying. The pack will also include a wide range of fundraising activities for pupils to take part in during the summer term.

NSPCC head of schools fundraising Denise Derbyshire said: "Every year we need to get the message across to more school children that bullying is wrong, and let them know how to get help if they are being bullied.

"In recent years ChildLine has heard from an increasing number of children who find that their torment becomes inescapable when bullies make use of new technology and hound their victims at home.

"The long-term impact of bullying on the emotional wellbeing of a child is worrying and can have far-reaching consequences for their self-esteem, mental health and ultimately on their education.

"It is essential to send out the message that bullying - by whatever means - is absolutely unacceptable.

"The NSPCC provides a range of services to children in schools, including counselling for pupils, setting up peer support schemes, and developing anti-bullying resources. The charity relies on voluntary donations for over 85 per cent of its funding, so every school that takes part in a Defeat Bullying fundraising day will be helping us to continue and expand on this important work."

Head of charity programmes at BT, Beth Courtier said: "Bullying is one of the key reasons that young people call ChildLine and as a long-term and strategic partner of ChildLine BT is very aware of the problems caused if the issue is not tackled.  This is why we have chosen to support this important initiative and we hope it will achieve the joint objectives of raising the profile of ChildLine, specifically raising awareness of the issue of bullying, and also raise vital funds."

To get a copy of the Defeat Bullying information pack teachers should log on to www.nspcc.org.uk/defeatbullying.

Ends

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Notes to editors
The NSPCC is promoting Defeat Bullying in schools in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Channel Islands.

The NSPCC is the UK's leading children charity specialising in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children. The NSPCC's purpose is to end cruelty to children FULL STOP. Its vision is of a society where all children are loved, valued and able to fulfil their potential. The NSPCC runs 180 projects and services across the United Kingdom and Channel Islands, including ChildLine, the UK's free, confidential 24-hour helpline for children and young people. The NSPCC helps over 10,000 children and their families every year.

ChildLine on 0800 1111 is the UK's free, 24-hour helpline for children in danger or distress. Trained volunteer counsellors comfort, advise and protect children and young people. ChildLine is a service within the NSPCC since the two charities joined together in 2006. The ChildLine service is delivered in Scotland by CHILDREN 1ST on behalf of the NSPCC.

About the Better World Campaign
BT's Better World Campaign aims to give all young people a voice by
ensuring young people most in need are heard and helped, by developing young people's communication skills and by helping young people campaign to create real social change. For more information please log on to http://www.btbetterworld.com.

About BT
BT is one of the world's leading providers of communications solutions and services operating in 170 countries.  Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to our customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services.  BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale.

In the year ended 31 March 2008, BT Group plc's revenue was £20,704 million with profit before taxation of £2,506 million.

British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group.  BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York. 

For more information, visit www.bt.com/aboutbt