The Red Balloon Learning Centre, in Cambridge England

The Red Balloon Learning Centre, located in Cambridge England, is providing a safe haven for students that have been victims of bullying. They also provide academic lessons, counseling, and support that is designed to restore confidence. They encourage students to talk about their experiences and feelings. The founder of the school Carrie Herbert, wanted a place where children too afraid to go to their own school would have a place to feel safe.

Victims of bullying are usually quiet and shy in their temperament. Normally they do not respond or make assertive reactions to the act of the bully. That is usually the reason why they continue to bully. Children who are victims tend to not have friends or social networks. They are not confident in their appearance or demeanor.

When children are bullied, they experience long term self-esteem issues, an increase in absenteeism, depression, and sometimes suicide. Also when children have been victimized constantly their behaviors tend to change and they act out differently from their normal behavior. Some are too embarrassed to even report it.

People don't realize what bulling does to a child's health. Then child may experience some or all of these symptoms: A constant fear that causes the child to drop out of school or miss many days of school. The child may become isolated with low self-esteem. It causes high levels of stress and anxiety. It also causes insomnia, among many others.Children need to be educated on how to behave when encountered by a bully. Report it to an adult that you trust. Be polite to the bully while being firm also letting them know that this is unacceptable. They shouldn't show that their are upset.

The National Education Association wants to reduce and eventually eliminate the bullying in public schools. They need the help of parents, teacher, and other community leaders to join in and fight against this problem. Children see bullying on television and movies thinking it's cool, but it's not.

Stop bullying behavior as soon as you see it happening. Talk to each child separately. Be aware that the bully will deny his or her actions. Talk to other teachers and administrators to aware them to the problem. Get advice on how this problem should be handled with in school policies. Assure the victim that steps will be taken so that this bulling will not happen again. Notify the bully's parents as soon as possible. Keep the communication open with children and parents.

soursce: http://www.kzoo.edu/psych/stop_bullying/resources/websites.html

Westhead, James. School for Bullying Victims.(January 21, 2000) BBC News online http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/613102.stm