England rugby World Cup winner Ben Cohen kicks bullying into touch with a new campaign launched on the anniversary of his father’s death.
BEN, WHOSE FATHER Peter lost his life after stepping up to protect someone else, will encourage people to take to social media to give a united, resounding message against bullying of all types: “We must stand up.”
The Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation will be encouraging people to take to Twitter and Facebook on Friday November 14 to post their own messages about bullying and donate to good causes as part of his first “UK StandUp Day”.
Using the hashtag #WhyIStandUp, Ben hopes it will show a unity of strength against bullying in every aspect of society.
He said: “Bullying is not just confined to the school playground, it can go way beyond that into every part of our lives, from sports clubs and institutions to trolls on Twitter and Facebook. You only need to look at the endless headlines about people being driven to suicide by online bullying.
“The only way to banish this is by standing up to it – acknowledging it exists and changing attitudes.”
Peter Cohen, the brother of 1966 World Cup-winner George, died from a blood clot a month after he was beaten up in his own nightclub in Northampton when intervening for someone who was being beaten.
Ben added: “Every single thing that has happened to me since then is down to that. It drove me on to become the best winger in the world and to win the World Cup. It has also pushed me on to help change attitudes about bullying and helping victims.”
The Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation has played a particularly important part in supporting equality for gay and transgender men and women in sport.
Ben continued: “I’ve heard from many fans and friends how bullying has impacted their lives, and I am moved to make a difference for them. Parents have written to me, sharing painful stories about how their children, who might be perceived to be different, are ruthlessly attacked and scared of their own schools.”
“I hope people join the cause on November 14 so we stand up for what is right and support people who are being harmed. Every person on this planet has a right to be true to themselves, to love and be loved, and to be happy.
“I encourage others to stand up with me and make a difference. Your efforts will help fund extremely important work.”
For more information, click here:
BULLYING: THE FACTS: According to The Annual Bullying Survey 2014, by ditchthelabel.org in partnership with 36 schools and colleges across the UK interviewing over 3,600 young .
• 45% of young people experience bullying before the age of 18.
• 26% of those bullied have experienced bullying on a daily basis.
• 40% of respondents reported being bullied for personal appearance 36% reported being bullied for body shape, size and weight.
• 39% have never told anybody that they are being bullied.
• 51% were not satisfied with the bullying support that they got from teachers.
• 34% reported being bullied for prejudice based reasons (homophobia/ racism/religious discrimination/disability discrimination/cultural discrimination/transphobia).
• 63% of respondents with a physical disability were bullied, and were more extremely socially excluded.
• 61% of respondents have been physically attacked.
• 30% have gone on to self-harm as a result of bullying.
• 10% have attempted to commit suicide as a result of bullying.
• 10% of respondents reported been sexually assaulted.
• 83% said bullying had a negative impact on their self-esteem.
• 56% said bullying affected their studies.
• 41% of those who had never been bullied achieved A or A*grades in English. 30% of those who had been bullied in the past achieved an A or A* in English. 26% of those being bullied achieved an A or A* in English. The trends were similar across Science and Maths.
You must be logged in to post a comment.