Ama Uzowuru, NUS VP Welfare Claire Anderson, NUS LGBT Officer (Women’s Place) Bullying Sucks

Aims for this session…

Bullying Sucks June 2008 Aims for the session Recognise the existence of bullying in FE and HE Look at how and why the campaign developed Explore the key findings Look at what NUS recommends Look at emerging issues

Bullying Sucks June 2008 But is it really an issue? NUS had never focused on bullying An assumption that bullying happens in school and in the workplace – but not in between? It may appear common sense, however at the time people seemed sceptical that it was even happening.

Bullying Sucks June 2008 Key Problems at NUS Lots of anti bullying materials for schools and workplace (via trade unions) Ironically, Universities very good on bullying on the staff side of the institutions, but no real policies for students. Materials focussed at school age children not accessible or appropriate for students over school age.

Bullying Sucks June 2008 So what did we do…. Developing the campaign:

Bullying Sucks June 2008 So what did we do… 1. Research  All the evidence we had was anecdotal that these issues were occurring.  Designed a survey to get a picture of the problem  Over 2,000 respondents.

Bullying Sucks June 2008 So what did we do… Outputs: Published results 64% of students experience bullying at some stage Of those who had been bullied, 30% was by friends or flatmates Homophobic bullying fourth highest (after academic, appearance and social class)

Bullying Sucks June 2008 So what did we do…. Outputs We wrote two submissions to the Select Committee Enquiry into Bullying

Bullying Sucks June 2008 Recommendation One 1. Get an anti-bullying policy in University and Union Ensures close working between all related parties in the institution Ensures there is process and protocol in place Allows for benchmarking

Bullying Sucks June 2008 Recommendation Two 2. Training for staff Raising awareness of the problem Give staff information on how to recognise it and what to do In particularly alert staff to issues around homophobic and transphobic bullying – particularly with regards to residential context.

Bullying Sucks June 2008 Recommendation Three 3. Mediation services ‘The aim of mediation is to seek a resolution in which all students can find a working agreement in order that they can live together peacefully’ -Student-led but assisted by trained mediators

Bullying Sucks June 2008 Outcomes Many institutions have taken recommendations on board Submissions secured us funding from Beat Bullying to roll out campaign for mentors in HE and FE Specific online module from RBS on homophobic and transphobic bullying

Bullying Sucks June 2008 Emerging Issues Bullying in the residential context: Increasing queries about what to do about bullying in halls / student houses Isolation Verbal Physical

Bullying Sucks June 2008 Emerging issues Cyber Bullying (Blogs and Social Networking Sites) May be occurring more in campus institutions? A specific area for the FE and HE mentors? Can institutions get involved in this area?

Thank You! Comments and Questions Sarah Wayman, Research and Policy Officer (Student Welfare)