Odd Socks For Anti Bullying, But Campaigners Call For Parents To Set Example

Many children in Sussex will go to school in odd socks today for Anti-Bullying Week, but an open letter calls for adults to be better role models.

The theme for this year's Anti-Bullying Week is 'Reach Out,' and kicks off with Odd Socks Day today (Nov 14) where adults and children wear odd socks to celebrate what makes us all unique.

The campaign urges children across the country to reach out to friends and trusted adults if bullying is taking place.

In a survey* of nearly 30,000 pupils in England almost 1 in 4 children (24%) told researchers they were being frequently bullied face-to-face, with the situation even worse for those with SEND (31%) or those in receipt of free school meals (30%).

Six percent reported being bullied frequently online with children with SEND and in receipt of free school meals again more likely to experience it.

The research finds that both those being bullied and the children who bully others have a bad experience of school life, disliking going to school, feeling less safe and having poorer relationships with their teachers.

The research underlines the lasting effects of being bullied, with children frequently on the receiving end having significantly poorer wellbeing than those who do not report being bullied at all. Interestingly, those who frequently bully others have the poorest wellbeing whether they're bullied online or face-to-face.

This research is released along with an open letter from the Anti-Bullying Alliance consortium of over 200 organisations calling on all adults to consider the example they are setting to children and young people about how we treat each other.

Whilst there are many examples of kindness and respect that we can share with young people to showcase how we should treat each other, far too often children see negative discord amongst adults that influences their behaviour. The Anti-Bullying Alliance believes it imperative we consider the impact our words and actions have on the children and young people who are learning from us.

The campaign is supported by many celebrities and influencers, including Anti-Bullying Alliance patron and children’s television star Andy Day who with his band Andy and the Odd Socks is releasing the single ‘Calling Out’, bringing alive playgrounds, classrooms and assemblies across the UK.

Martha Evans, Director of the Anti-Bullying Alliance said: 

“Children and young people need to know there is help out there if they are being bullied or are witnessing bullying. It starts by reaching out to someone you trust if you need to talk. Reaching out to someone you know is being bullied. Reaching out to consider a new approach.

“And it doesn’t stop with young people. From teachers to parents and influencers to politicians, we all have a responsibility to help each other reach out.

“That is why members of the Anti-Bullying Alliance have written an open letter calling on adults to consider the example they are setting to young people about how we treat each other.

“Whether it is during a Twitter spat, arguments in parliament, a relationship breakdown on the latest reality TV show, or a row on the street; children are too often watching. They are listening and they are learning from us.”

Andy Day, patron of the Anti-Bullying Alliance and CBeebies presenter said of Odd Socks Day: 

“We are over the moon to be working with the Anti-Bullying Alliance again on such an incredibly important issue. Encouraging acceptance of individuality at an early age can help prevent bullying later in life and raising awareness on the issue of bullying is very important to us. Odd Socks Day is a fun day where we can do all of this! We would LOVE for your school to get on board!”

*Survey conducted by the Anti-Bullying Alliance and analysed by Goldsmiths, University of London.