Despite the current efforts in national and European level, bullying appears to be an escalating challenge. According to Beat Bullying, recent studies have shown that:
- 70% of young people have experienced some form of bullying.
- One million children are bullied every week, inside and outside of school.
- Bullying is the biggest concern for children as they grow up.
- At least 20 children every year commit suicide because they are being – or have been – bullied.
The effects of school bullying on children’s stress levels, depressive tendencies, and self-concept are a barrier to their learning and development, as well as their active integration and participation in the school environment. There remains a need for a comprehensive ‘whole-school’ framework which explores the origins of bullying, its effects in and beyond the school-life of the child, and subsequent policies and procedures for its detection and eradication.
Thus, CARDET from Cyprus, as a partner to a consortium of seven organizations from Spain, Romania, Greece, Italy and Ireland, is launching the project “Combat Bullying: A Whole School Program” (ComBuS). This project aims to develop a whole school program that will empower students, teachers, school staff, school leaders, and parents to combat bullying and create healthy and safe school communities, using blended (face-to-face, online and mobile) methodologies, tools, and activities.
ComBuS will develop and implement activities and a comprehensive anti-bullying policy and programs targeting all stakeholders in schools and their local communities. The project will involve students, parents, teachers, school leaders, and staff in a participatory and empowering manner. Our project proposal envisions a blended approach to fighting bullying in face-to-face, online and mobile encounters including experiential workshops, online learning platforms, networking sites and mobile applications.
