1. Over the last three years there has been an 87 % increase in the number of Childline’s counselling sessions about online bullying
40% of 7 to11 year old respondents know someone who has been cyberbullied
7 in 10 young people aged between 13 and 22 have been a victim of cyberbullying
An estimated 5.43 million young people in the UK have experienced cyberbullying, with 1.26 million subjected to extreme cyberbullying on a daily basis

2. IMPACTS OF BULLYING
More than 16,000 young people are absent from school because of bullying 83% of young people say bullying has a negative impact on their self-esteem.
30% of young people have gone on to self-harm as a result of bullying.
10% of young people have attempted to commit suicide as a result of bullying.
Those who have been bullied are more than twice as likely to have difficulty in keeping a job, or committing to saving compared to those not involved in bullying
People who have been bullied are at greatest risk for health problems in adulthood, over six times more likely to be diagnosed with a serious illness, smoke regularly, or develop a psychiatric disorder compared to those
not involved in bullying

3. THE LAW
Although bullying in itself is not a specific criminal offence in the UK, it is important to bear in mind that some types of harassing or threatening behaviour – or communications – could be a criminal offence.
Harassment Act 1997
Malicious Communications Act 1988
The Communications Act 2003
The Public Order Act 1986
Hate crime

4. ROLE OF A COMMUNITY AMBASSADOR
The role involves delivering assemblies, presentations and information to their peers on issues such as personal safety, anti-bullying, respectful relationships and tackling crime. As a result our Community Ambassadors decided to make a short film to help tackle bullying.
The programme, funded by the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner, is managed by Safer Wyre Forest (part of North Worcestershire Community Safety Partnership), which promotes safer living, working and visiting in the Wyre Forest.