Campaign launched at Bradford conference in bid to protect disabled children from abuse (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Campaign launched at Bradford conference in bid to protect disabled children from abuse

7:13pm Tuesday 4th May 2010 in

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A campaign to tackle the issue of bullying suffered by disabled children has started in Bradford.

Professionals working with disabled children and young people today attended a conference at The Midland Hotel called “Get your head round it”, a title inspired by one young disabled boy who said a bully is a person who can’t get their head round a difference.

The conference was organised by the children’s charity, the NSPCC and Bradford Safeguarding Children Board to raise awareness of the bullying disabled children and young people can experience after research showed they are more likely than their peers to be bullied.

Nick Frost, independent chairman of Bradford Safeguarding Children Board, said: “I welcome this opportunity to highlight this very important issue. Disabled young people who have been bullied may be more vulnerable to abuse, and it’s important that professionals are equipped to tackle this type of bullying if they encounter it.

“This campaign is a great example of the statutory and voluntary sectors coming together to make Bradford a safer place for children.”

The conference heard about latest research into the characteristics of bullying victims from the National Centre for Social Research and young people, their parents, carers and teachers shared their experiences One Bradford parent said their child is highly vulnerable to bullying and exploitation by his peers, and is also a target for strangers and passers-by in the street.

NSPCC local campaigns co-ordinator Helen Westerman said it was a very important issue.

She said: “It’s so important that people realise that disabled children are also subject to bullying and that we help people to feel confident to challenge this when they see it.

“We also know that the best form of self-defence against bullying is good self-esteem, and we want all children in Bradford to know that all bullying is unacceptable.”

The second phase of the campaign will involve work with young people and staff at Braithwaite High School, Parkside School and Brunswick Road Respite Unit, and newly designed posters highlighting the issue will be displayed in schools and services across the district The Bradford Safeguarding Children Board is one of only a few Local Safeguarding Boards which has established a sub-committee dedicated to safeguarding disabled children.