(CMR) The Family Resource Centre (FRC) of the Department of Counselling Services (DCS) has planned a series of activities and programs for October to mark the 10th anniversary of its “STOOD UP – Take A Stand Against Bullying” campaign. The campaign seeks to educate parents, schools, and children about the harmful effects of bullying.
This year’s theme, “Kindness Takes Courage,” recognizes the importance of promoting kindness and displaying courage when intervening during instances of bullying in the community, workplaces, schools, and other spaces.
In highlighting the importance of the campaign, Director of DCS Judith Seymour stated, “Bullying is a pervasive issue that impacts children, adults, and families daily. This campaign is a call to join together in a dialogue about what bullying behaviors mean and how to safely take a stand against bullying. Our hope is to create and nurture the resiliency of school-aged children as they are the most vulnerable to the damaging long-term effects of bullying.”
According to the National Drug Council of the Cayman Islands Student Drug Use Survey 2022, 47.7% of students reported being bullied at some time in their lives.
Director of the Department of Education Services, Mark Ray, emphasized, “The Department of Education Services is pleased to once again partner with the Family Resource Centre to ensure the success of this campaign.”
“Bullying is not a new issue within our schools or in our society, but we can make a difference. Our parent Ministry launched its own national anti-bullying campaign a few months ago, and I believe that these campaigns are important to our education system and society as they aid in creating a safe learning environment for the children of our Islands,” Ray added.
As part of the STOOD-UP campaign, organizations, schools, and the wider community are encouraged to organize a “Dress for a Cause Day” and purchase a STOOD-UP t-shirt for adults and children. Members of the public are also invited to participate in the STOOD-UP Day or Pink Shirt Day photo event to be held on the steps of the Government Administration Building on 6 October, 9:15 a.m.
Other activities to take place during the month include:
-Parenting Webinar: How to Bully Proof your Child, 18 October – This is a psychoeducational parenting session focused on educating parents on the signs and effects of bullying behaviors and how to respond and support children effectively.
-Anti-Bullying Peer Leadership Training (School-based) – The Family Resource Centre, in collaboration with Government school personnel, will conduct peer leadership training. These training sessions are focused on educating students in leadership positions or with leadership abilities to support their respective schools in creating a culture of respect, kindness, inclusivity, and social responsibility.
-Anti-Bullying Kindness Tree – The Centre encourages schools across Grand Cayman and Sister Islands to participate in this creative activity in which students will be asked to create an interactive and hands-on kindness tree to promote kindness among peers and encourage further dialogue about bullying.
-Anti-Bullying Educational Workshops (School-based) – Workshops targeted to school-aged children to raise awareness of bullying behavior and the importance of responding safely and responsibly.
To learn more about these activities, purchase shirts, or register your class or school for one of the workshops, please email [email protected].
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