The rollout of new procedures for reporting bullying in school is being welcomed by one Cavan native.
The Bí Cineálta, or Be Kind, initiative was developed through consultation with teachers, children and parents. It includes new guidelines for dealing with sexual harassment, cyberbullying and bullying based on a child’s gender identity, sex, race, religion or sexuality. A report published yesterday involving more than 2,300 primary and secondary pupils, found almost one in three secondary students didn't feel welcome in their school.
Chloe Heaslip, who's brother Eden died by suicide after constant bullying, hopes the new procedures will help combat all types of bullying and make students feel more comfortable in speaking out.
"That's going to be an annual report so if there's so many cases of, let's say, racist bullying or anything like that, that's telling the Department that we need more education to help students and help staff deal with this type of bullying. It's giving feedback to the Department so that they can keep helping us. There's loads of different types of bullying that they're hoping to develop strategies to prevent and address bullying. It's not just one type of bullying, it's all types of bullying".
