PRESS
RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
26th November 2012
West
Lothian College tackles bullying head-on
Staff
and students at West Lothian College have tackled the subject of bullying head
on with a series of special events.
As
part of National Anti-Bullying Week (19th – 23rd
November) the college invited students to share their own past experiences
during special walk-in sessions involving the Student Representative Council.
Latest
figures suggest online bullying in Britain has risen by 150% in just four years
with 1 in 3 people now experiencing some form of bullying in their life.
Micole
Robertson, Learner Engagement Officer at West Lothian College, said: “At West
Lothian College, we’re promoting to our students a zero tolerance approach with
bullying. We have a strong support structure with staff who are fully trained
to help any student who experiences any form of bullying within the college.
The message we want to promote is don’t suffer in silence as there is support
out there.”
Throughout
the week daily talks were held to discuss online bullying, the importance of
password protection and current stories and issues in the media around the
subject of bullying. A poster competition has also been launched for students
to design their own anti-bullying messages.
Closing
the week, student Beth Hutchison presented some of her own powerful
photographic work depicting a domestic abuse scene. Beth, who is a student in
the college’s Creative Centre, won student of the year in 2011 and is currently
showcasing her work in the Creative Minds Exhibition at the Howden Park Centre.
Kim Kidd and Christine Tierney from the Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault Team (DASTA)
also spoke to students about the range of support available to victims of
abuse.
Mhairi
Laughlin, Principal of West Lothian College, commented: “When speaking to
students at West Lothian College, it’s clear they’re passionate about the
subject of bullying and felt they could really make a difference by openly
discussing, debating and sharing their own experiences. The figures speak for
themselves. With 1 in 3 people experiencing some form of bullying it’s a
subject that must be tackled head-on. I’m incredibly proud of the students for
showing such leadership and embracing the concept of community, which we’re so keen
to promote here at the college.”
-ENDS-
Image 1: Student Beth
Hutchison talks to fellow learners about her powerful images of abuse, joined
by Kim Kidd and Christine Tierney from DASTA.
For more
information, contact: Brian O’Neill, Halogen Communications, (T) 0131 202 0120 (F) 0131 225 3757 (E) brian@halogencom.com
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