Leaflets aim to tackle bus bullying
CHILDREN are being given help in learning to deal with bullies on buses, thanks to pioneering work by a young people's charity.
Kidscape has been distributing thousands of anti-bullying leaflets to schools in Plymouth. The leaflets address worries children might have while using public transport.
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Nearly a third of teenagers travel to school by bus.
The new leaflet, designed to equip children with the skills they need to travel safely, has been partly funded by a £6,000 donation by the bus operator FirstGroup.
Now Kidscape wants to train bus drivers as part of the next step in tackling bullying on buses.
Parents are also included: Kidscape has produced a '10 tip' advice leaflet about what to do if your child is faced with bullying.
Both leaflets are available free to download on the Kidscape website, www.kidscape.org.uk
The leaflet aimed at young people advises: "Always tell an adult if you are being bullied. Keep telling until someone listens. Ask the driver to deal with the bully.
"Shout 'No!' very loudly so everyone knows what is happening. Move to a different seat near the driver or a responsible adult where you can't see the bully, and they can't see you. Stay with a group of friends if you can, to support each other."
Marc Reddy, managing director of First Devon and Cornwall, said: "First is delighted to be able to support this project. Thousands of children and young people travel to and from school by bus every day and while the majority will probably never encounter problems it's worth preparing young people for the challenges they may, one day face.
"The tips offered in the leaflet are useful and practical and I suspect that they will be welcomed by children and young people, their parents and teachers."
Councillors on Plymouth City Council's Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny panel were hearing about the groundbreaking work at their meeting today from representatives of First Devon and Cornwall and Plymouth CityBus.
Claude Knights, director of Kidscape, said: "These new leaflets will offer young people travelling by bus practical tips on how to deal with the worries they may have, in some cases if they feel ill during a journey or what to do if they are being unfairly picked on by another person."
Actress Jill Halfpenny, best known for her TV role as Kate in EastEnders, and a patron of the charity, said: "Kidscape gets to the very core of the issue by working closely with the children and providing them with invaluable tools which they can use throughout their lives. These leaflets will really help those children and young people who travel to school by bus and who may experience some difficulties doing so. FirstGroup should be commended for funding the production of these leaflets, ensuring that Kidscape is able to distribute them to so many schools for free."
6 Comments
by SG, Plymouth
Thursday, April 16 2009, 1:08PM
“Well said George.
CCTV should be installed on all buses. I would also like to see pictures of the culprits forwarded to the headmaster of the schools for onward email to their parents. The things that go on are shocking. One is "running the gauntlet" a child is told to run the length of the bus where the others punch, lash out and kick (some hang off the rails for better leverage). If kids don't take part they are nerdy or chicken. PACK MENTALITY BULLYING.”
by Harry Blackmaskers, Plymouth
Thursday, April 16 2009, 11:48AM
“I've just been beaten up on a bus by some kids armed with leaflets.”
by Reg Varney, Depot
Thursday, April 16 2009, 10:15AM
“It's fare game on a bus.”
by Julie, Cornwall
Thursday, April 16 2009, 9:05AM
“As an older person who sometimes travels on school buses into Plymouth, I find the behaviour of some children terrible. The drivers of these vehicles are powerless to do anything about it. The bus companies clearly know there is a problem, but only see fit to produce a leaflet. Surely they need to ensure that any driver who feels that passengers behaviour whether a child or adult is intimidatory needs more help than a leaflet.
This is a step in the right direction, but it merely gives grounds for more control by the operating companies and the schools.”
by George, Plymouth
Thursday, April 16 2009, 8:48AM
“What use are leaflets to a child who is being bullied. Surely ALL schools buses should be fitted with cameras and those that cause a problem banned from the bus.
As a passenger, when on a bus carrying a large number of these children it is horrendous and to be avoided. A child could easily be bullied and the driver is powerless to do anything about it.
The bus companies need to take more responsibility than just producing a leaflet, take the fare take it seriously.”
by Biffo, Plymouth
Thursday, April 16 2009, 8:41AM
“How do you bully a bus?
Surely its a bit big for that.”