Schools need to have a comprehensive response strategy in place to tackle bullying and teachers must act to stamp out all forms of the abuse, the coordinator of the Anti-Bullying Alliance has argued.

Speaking following the release of research showing a quarter of children have been affected by verbal bullying, Sue Steel said a "whole school approach" is needed to tackle the problem, including training to help staff identify its various forms.

Schools in Ireland follow the guidelines on countering bullying behaviour in primary and post-primary schools drawn up by the Department of Education and Skills.

The department notes all schools should operate a bullying policy, including encouraging pupils to report abuse, monitoring school activities and developing a programme of support for those who have been affected.

Ms Steel called on schools to "discuss how to use technology responsibly and what it means to be a digital citizen" to tackle cyber-bullying and Inside Ireland reports 650 establishments are taking part in a scheme to target the problem as part of anti-bullying week.

Written by Donal Walsh

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