The News of the World has claimed a victory in its anti-bullying campaign following news the Government is to appoint a children’s commissioner.
This was one of the paper’s targets when it launched its “Helping Hand” campaign last month following the suicide of Northumberland bullying victim 16-year-old Karl Peart.
Editor Andy Coulson said: “This is a positive victory for the News of the World’s Helping Hand campaign. Bullying is a very serious issue which demands immediate action to stop children taking drastic measures. We will be closely monitoring to ensure that these Government pledges are translated into that action.”
The NoW has sent out anti-bullying posters to every school in England
carrying the Helping Hand logo and a list of advice for victims of bullying. It has also employed six professional advisers to staff a bullying helpline.
The new children’s commissioner post is set to be unveiled in the autumn. In the meantime, Education Minister Ivan Lewis has promised anti-bullying training for teachers in every secondary school from September.
On Sunday, the NoW featured the story of an 11-year-old boy from Merseyside who took an overdose of painkillers after being bullied.
by Dominic Ponsford
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