Extend anti-bullying campaign

Rev Dr Robert Coulter, the Ulster Unionist Party Assembly member for North Antrim and Stormont Commissioner, has urged the organizers of the recent Ant-Bullying Week to extend the campaign across the whole year.

Assemblyman Dr Coulter also commended constituents for "throwing their full weight" behind this year's Anti-Bullying Week.

He added: "I congratulate the organizers of Anti-Bullying Week and urge them to extend it across the other 51 weeks of the year, and I would also call for the community to give its total backing to this very necessary initiative.

"I thank the schools and the police in the constituency for all their efforts in stamping out the scourge of bullying - and I certainly pledge my full support for this worthy campaign.

"Bullying has become one of the great social evils of this new millennium and must be combated head-on in every forum. School bullying especially can never be justified under any circumstances.

"The hard reality is that if bullying is not properly stamped out, it can leave lasting emotional, mental and even physical scars on the victims right through their adult lives.

"Bullies themselves must be left in no doubt they could face the full rigours of the law if they do not desist from their heinous actions. I would particularly call on all responsible parents to support the aims and objectives of Anti-Bullying Week well beyond this month.

"If they find their child is the victim of bullying, it is their moral duty to seek as much assistance as possible in helping the child.

"Likewise, if they discover their child is involved in bullying, such parents have an equal moral imperative to take responsibility and prevent their child from further bullying activities.

"I would also urge the parents and relatives of victims of bullying to work closely with the schools and the police and not be tempted to take the law into their own hands," said Assemblyman Dr Coulter.