MEDIA STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO ‘PROJECT SHARON’

For immediate release: Tuesday 15 November 2011

The Anti-Bullying Alliance has been targeted by a bogus social media campaign dubbed ‘Project Sharon’.

We are part of leading children’s charity, the National Children’s Bureau and are committed to preventing and stopping bullying it in all forms.  We wish to make it absolutely clear that we have nothing to do with this action and it is not part of Anti-Bullying Week.

We are deeply saddened that an anonymous internet user has attributed us as the creators of such a page, however it does highlight the serious issue of cyberbullying, which is why awareness raising initiatives like Anti-Bullying Week are so important. Bullying behaviour, in all forms, is absolutely unacceptable and we urge people who witness and/or experience bullying to report it as soon as possible.

This year’s Anti-Bullying Week theme is about verbal bullying and the casual use of derogatory language. Please support the campaign by visiting theofficial Anti-Bullying Alliance Facebook page www.facebook.com/anti-bullyingalliance

-ENDS-

Notes to editors:

- The Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA) is a unique coalition of over 130 members from the voluntary, public and private sectors, who work together to reduce bullying and create safer environments in which children and young people can live, grow, play and learn. ABA is based at the National Children’s Bureau. For more information visit http://www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/

- Anti-Bullying Week 2011 takes place 14-18 November 2011. This year’s campaign marks the ninth anniversary of the week in England. For more information on how you can get involved in Anti-Bullying Week 2011, and for details of the 100’s of events taking place throughout the country visit http://www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/

- The National Children’s Bureau’s (NCB) mission is to advance the well-being of all children and young people across every aspect of their lives. As the leading national charity which supports those working with children, young people and families across England and Northern Ireland, we focus on identifying and communicating high impact, community and family-centred solutions. We work with organisations from across the voluntary, statutory and private sectors through our membership scheme, and through the sector-led networks and partnership programmes that operate under our charitable status. For further information, visit http://www.ncb.org.uk/

- Research conducted by TNS Omnibus - part of TNS-RI -for the Anti-Bullying Alliance, between September and  October 2011. 875 young people aged 11-16 in England responded to the questionnaire.

For further information on ABA and Anti-bullying Week please contact the  NCB Media Office:

media@ncb.org.uk 0207 843 6044/5 or 07721 097 033