SINCE its inception 10 years ago, the aim of our national anti-bullying service, respectme, has been to create a just, equal, and inclusive Scotland where children and young people can live free from bullying and harassment and are encouraged to reach their full potential. When left unaddressed, the ripple effect bullying causes can be all pervasive, affecting individual children and young people, families, communities and shaping society more widely. When bullying is based on prejudiced views, it can contribute to divisive hate that undermines communities and lives.
Last year, the Scottish Parliament’s Equality and Human Rights Committee, convened by Christina McKelvie MSP, carried out an inquiry into bullying and harassment in schools. It heard from children and young people across the country and the evidence that emerged led the committee to conclude that many feel singled out because of their gender; faith or belief; disability; race or ethnicity;sexual orientation and gender identity, with devastating impacts on lives.
It was a vital reminder that children and young people do not exist in a vacuum and, like everyone else, are not exempt from developing or being influenced by prejudiced views. The committee’s report also reminded us that education is a powerful tool for social justice with the potential to bring about change. It demonstrated examples of respectful cultures having been nurtured, leading to environments where young people and adults embraced difference, celebrated diversity or, as one Kirkcaldy High pupil told the committee, where it had become the norm that it just “wasn’t cool to be cruel”.
One year on, have these stories from children and young people led to real change? A direct result has been the strengthening of the policy framework around prejudice-based bullying. Respect for All, the national approach to anti-bullying for children and young people, was published last November and is explicit about bullying motivated by prejudiced attitudes having no place and being swiftly addressed. The guidance emphasises prevention of bullying through establishing environments in which diversity is celebrated and valued and name calling and comments based on prejudice are challenged.
More recently, supplementary guidance around the recording and monitoring of bullying incidents in schools was published, aiming to facilitate more consistent and robust data and a clearer picture of bullying behaviour and its impacts. Identifying trends or patterns of behaviour allows for more focused responses and improved prevention.
In the last year we’ve taken the Respect for All guidance out across the country and, while there is much effective practice to build on, an inconsistent national picture remains. It is crucial that all local authorities, schools and community-based organisations ensure they are in step with the strengthened policy framework and translate it into daily practice to improve outcomes for children and young people.
To achieve this, the experiences of children and young people, and especially those affected by prejudice-based bullying, are fundamental. Everyone, including parents and carers, plays a vital role in building coherent anti-bullying approaches that keep children and young people feeling safe and respected. This is particularly true in today’s digital age where bullying transcends all physical boundaries.
This is an important opportunity for all of us to renew our focus and energy and ensure every child achieves their right to live free from bullying and harassment.
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