Middlesbrough College : We re better without bullying THE FUTURE IS OURS SAFE, FUN AND CONNECTED ANTI-BULLYING WEEK 18-22 NOVEMBER 2013
What is Bullying? Middlesbrough College students define bullying as: Any behaviour which intentionally causes another person or group to feel uncomfortable, threatened or unsafe. This can be verbal, emotional, physical or remote (eg: cyber bullying) and is often repeated over time. Examples of bullying and harassment include: Physical abuse Verbal abuse Emotional abuse Spreading of harmful rumours Public humiliation Isolation or exclusion Indirect remote bullying - including cyber bullying via phone, text, email or social media
BULLIES Middlesbrough College has a Zero Tolerance Policy towards all forms of bullying and harassment, related to both students and staff. This is reflected in the College s Respect Campaign which promotes tolerance, respect, equality and diversity for all. What do we do to prevent bullying and support students? A Student Peer Mentoring scheme Student & Staff Bullying Prevention Focus Group On-going Students Union campaigns as well as dedicated Student Union Reps, Clubs & Societies. Targeted support through tutorials and from Student Services and outside agencies Encouraging student involvement in the College s Bullying Prevention work. Dedicated Student Bullying and Harassment Policy Middlesbrough College is the first Further Education College to achieve the BULLYING INTERVENTION GROUP AWARD! Students are consulted on their views throughout the year and contribute to the Bullying and Harassment Policy through Student Voice activity such as the Student Council and focus groups. Want to get involved with anti-bullying work and share your ideas? Contact Student Services or the Students Union! A brilliant chance to meet new people who I can relate to and talk to LGBT Society
Staying Safe Online Never share your passwords. Make sure that you change passwords regularly. Only answer messages or respond to friend requests from people you know and have met. Never share personal details or photos online that can identify you. Check your privacy settings on social media sites like Facebook regularly-keep your profile secure and only visible to the people you know and want to see it! Be cautious-people can be lying about their age or who they are online. REMEMBER! You leave an electronic footprint online, so if you send nasty emails, write abusive Facebook posts or create offensive online material or images, this can remain on the internet and be traced back to you. Online abuse is serious & the police can get involved. It is a criminal offence to post or share images or videos of someone else online without their permission. Never join in cyber conversations that involve others being bullied or abused-you will implicate yourself even if you are a bystander. Save the evidence and report it to someone who can help. Never respond to cyber bullying but save all messages, picture clips, texts, emails or other offensive material as evidence. If you delete them it is more difficult to take action. Always report offensive material/messages to the site or service provider right away. TELL SOMEONE- seek help from someone you trust. If you have questions or concerns about your privacy online or using Social Media safely please contact the IT Helpdesk or Student Services.
TELL SOMEONE All staff at Middlesbrough College have a responsibility to ensure students feel safe and that all incidents of bullying and harassment are dealt with effectively. If you or anyone you know in College is experiencing bullying of any form you can speak to any of the following people for help, advice and support: Your Personal Tutor Your Director of Programme Student Services Safeguarding Team Peer Mentor Report it confidentially online via the TELL SOMEONE button on Blackboard PEER MENTORING FEELING WORRIED OR CONFUSED? NOT SURE WHO TO TALK TO? PEER MENTORS ARE STUDENTS WHO ARE HERE TO HELP YOU AND SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCE OF COLLEGE LIFE. They can: Help you settle in to College and your course Offer support & someone to talk to Listen to your problems or worries Give you information & advice Refer you to other support services IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO A PEER MENTOR PLEASE CONTACT STUDENT SERVICES FOR DETAILS OF DROP IN TIMES
Further Help & Advice For Students & Parents If you feel you are being bullied or harassed, or know of someone who is, you can contact any of the following people or organisations for support and advice: Middlesbrough College contacts: Middlesbrough College Safeguarding Team: Tel: 01642 333775 / 01642 333527 / 07919 394668 Email: safeguarding@mbro.ac.uk Or text SAFE to 83123 Student Services: Email: studentservices@mbro.ac.uk Tel: 01642 333606 College Counsellor: Email: d.bowden@mbro.ac.uk Tel: 01642 333472 Student Engagement Officers: Tel: 01642 333689 / 01642 333687 / 01642 333688 Or just visit Student Services behind Main Reception or the Students Union on the first floor. Further help & support www.beatbullying.org www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk www.bullyinginterventiongroup.co.uk ChildLine: Tel: 0800 1111 or online at www.childline.org.uk (If you are hearing impaired try textphone 0800400222 in daytime hours) The Samaritans: 0845 7909090 (confidential, non-judgemental support 24 hrs a day) The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP): Advice for parents, carers and young people about staying safe online: www.ceop.police.uk Cybermentors: If you are being bullied online or electronically visit: www.cybermentors.org.uk Or for more on e-safety visit: www.thinkuknow.co.uk Stonewall: Information on tackling homophobic bullying: www.stonewall.org.uk EACH: Support for young people experiencing homophobic or transphobic bullying: www.eachaction.org.uk Tel: 0808 1000 143 Cleveland Police Switchboard: Tel: 01642 326326