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<h2><span data-contrast="auto">Bullying-Free Week is an annual initiative run by Bullying-Free NZ which culminates in Pink Shirt Day each year. This year, Bullying-Free Week is happening from 13 May – 17 May. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></h2>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The week-long event aims to raise awareness of bullying at schools and how to prevent and respond to incidents. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Recently, New Zealand has been named as one of the worst nations for bullying in the world. A report published by the Ministry of Education in 2021 found that 36 percent of Year 5s and 38 percent of Year 9s were bullied on a monthly basis. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.schoolnews.co.nz/latest-print-issue/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Read the latest print edition of <em>School News</em> HERE</strong></a> </p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The most common forms of bullying in New Zealand are “being made fun of” and “being excluded on purpose from activities”. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">However, bullying takes many forms and may be physical, verbal or social. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<figure id="attachment_12090" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-12090" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img class="size-medium wp-image-12090" src="https://www.schoolnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/AdobeStock_164652034-1-300x189.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="189" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-12090" class="wp-caption-text">Bullying victims are likely to be male, disabled, LGBTQIA+, NZ born, low achievers and from a disadvantaged background. Adobestock by Rawpixel.com</figcaption></figure>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Victims of bullying are more likely to be male, disabled, LGBTQIA+ (particularly transgender students), New Zealand born, low achievers and from a disadvantaged background. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Around 27 percent of students reported themselves as engaging in bullying behaviours, around a third of students who bully might have experienced bullying themselves. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Students who experience bullying may become withdrawn, seem anxious and be reluctant to go to school. It is a known contributing factor to nationally poor attendance rates. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Bullying-Free NZ week is therefore an opportunity for schools to review their culture and address bullying prevention and awareness with their communities. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">According to the Bullying-Free NZ website, schools that “encourage respect, value opinions, celebrate difference, and promote positive relationships make it difficult for bullying behaviour to thrive or be tolerated.” </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Ideas for activities, information on bullying and free resources can be accessed through the </span><a href="https://bullyingfree.nz/" target="_blank"><span data-contrast="none">Bullying-Free NZ</span></a><span data-contrast="auto"> and </span><a href="https://pinkshirtday.org.nz/engage/schools" target="_blank"><span data-contrast="none">Pink Shirt Day</span></a><span data-contrast="auto"> websites. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Other wellbeing and mental health organisations such as Barnardos Aotearoa are also running campaigns for Bullying-Free week 2024. This year, the 0800 What’s Up counselling helpline will be available for free to 5 to19 year olds, and their parents, teachers and caregivers during Bullying-Free Week from 13 – 17 May. </span></p>

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