Limerick strikes out with anti-bullying campaign

Incidents of bullying in schools across the country rose 12% last year, according to statistics obtained by Comhairle na nÓg.

To try and tackle the rising problem, an initiative was launched yesterday by members of the Co Limerick Comhairle na nÓg (Youth Council).

Supported by the Limerick Youth Service and the community and enterprise section of Limerick County Council, the inaugural Limerick Anti-Bullying Week will take place from May 18-25, with a series of anti- bullying messages being relayed in secondary schools.

Posters creating awareness of bullying will be displayed in secondary schools, and students will be invited to wear wristbands bearing anti-bulling messages.

An anti-bullying awareness night will also be held in Limerick on June 28.

Statistics supplied by the youth council show that 74% of school children have reported being bullied in the playground or classroom.

Josephine Cotter Coughlan, director of services with the county council, said: “The emotional effects of bullying on victims can include humiliation, fear, social isolation and a loss of self-esteem. The 33 members of Co Limerick Comhairle na nÓg are committed to playing their part in reducing bullying and raising awareness of the impact it can have on students. I wish to compliment the comhairle on the fantastic job it is doing representing young people in Co Limerick.”

According to Joe Walsh of Limerick Youth Service: “Each year the newly-elected comhairle chooses a topic of relevance to young people to work on based upon the findings of the AGM, [at] which more than 80 students from across Limerick usually attend. This year comhairle members have chosen the topic of young people’s mental health and in particular, bullying as a key issue facing young people in Limerick.”