Anti-bullying messages sought in Holocaust memorial day competition, January 27 2012

Date Added - 17/11/11

Every year on 27 January the world marks Holocaust Memorial Day with a variety of events. As the theme this year is ‘Speak up, speak out’, the Moray Equalities Forum would like to encourage people to speak up against bullying, in all its forms. 

Bullying is often ignored but it can have serious long-term effects on those who face it.  The Moray Equalities Forum believes that to deal with bullying effectively people need to understand just how serious it is and what it can do to victims.

We want to hear from you if you have suffered bullying or experienced its effects in any way. Was it a long time ago and do the effects still linger? Were you able to get any help at the time? If you’ve witnessed bullying did you do anything about it, and how did that make you feel? Bullying can disproportionately affect lives for many years, even one incident can last a lifetime so it is important we share the experiences.

Your stories or views may help others seek help about bullying. The Moray Equalities Forum plan to produce a booklet and short film containing your story, experience or views. These collections will be shared with schools, workplaces and social networking sites to help others understand the full and lasting effects of bullying on individuals.

We want to hear from you if:

• You’ve been bullied because you’re different
• You’ve bullied others but have come to realise that it is wrong
• You’ve seen how bullying affects others
• You’ve dealt with bullies
• You can tell us the effects it has had on you
• Any action was taken to help or support you

Let us know your experience.  You can write a one-page story, poem or draw a picture, or take part in our short film.  Closing dates for entry will be January 15, and the results will be made available from 27 January 2012.   Prizes will be awarded to the most inspiring entries.

There will also be a video representation of some of the entries which will be made available on-line.  We will not publish your name if you don’t want us to.

If you have any questions contact me, Don Toonen, at the address below. 

Equal Opportunities Officer
The Moray Council
Council Head Quarters
High Street, Elgin, IV30 1BX

Email: equalopportunities@moray.gov.uk
Telephone: 01343 563321