The Anti-Bullying Alliance at 20 years old!

I know that so many people who have witnessed bullying, or who have been affected directly by this toxic behaviour share my determination to challenge it in all its forms. I felt so excited when it was announced in 2002 that an Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA) was to be set up by the National Children’s Bureau and the NSPCC. This was a huge opportunity for organisations that shared similar goals to work together to pool expertise and resources and to approach parliamentarians with one voice. Despite the withdrawal of government funding that allowed for regional leads across the country the ABA has continued to flourish in the past 20 years.

This umbrella organisation has been responsible for uniting the anti-bullying sector leading it to build consensus on policy positions and to raising awareness of the issues, not only through Anti-Bullying Week, but throughout the year. The sharing of research with a growing number of members of the Alliance as well as resources and creative ideas has been very productive and heartening. Having served as an Advisory Group member over several terms, and now in my second round as Chair of the ABA I can truly say that on a personal level the ABA has given me the opportunity to meet and work with a large number of committed and talented professionals whose mission and vision inspired me to help keep alight the hope that children and young people could one day live in a world free from bullying and associated harms. I really value hugely the friendships and connections that the ABA has brought to me. At our recent Parliamentary event in the House of Lords during Anti-Bullying Week 2022 several people stated that the ABA felt like a family. I would agree with that! Throughout my time as CEO of the Anti-Bullying charity, Kidscape, membership of the ABA helped me to feel less alone and more supported, especially during the bleak and challenging times.

The ABA is right to be immensely proud of its achievements over the past 20 years, but it is in no way complacent. Its own research, drawn from almost 30k children and backed up by statistics provided by many organisations working in the anti-bullying sector, show that almost one in four children report being frequently bullied. We know that very sadly children who have been bullied and young people who bully others are significantly more likely to experience poor wellbeing as well as negative school experiences, such as, difficult relationships with teachers, feeling alienated and unsafe. So, we know that there is some distance to go before the target of reducing childhood bullying is achieved.

I am optimistic however, as so much creative and innovative work is taking place across the amazing organisations that make up the Alliance. Added to which there is a palpable determination to work towards a safer childhood in numerous schools very much assisted by excellent programmes such as, the ABA’s government funded programme, ‘United Against Bullying’, which provides them with valuable tools including an audit and action plan and a series of CPD training sessions and resources.

The ABA’s membership is growing, and I am hopeful that it will continue to do so steadily in the next twenty years.. The ABA develops ambitious policy recommendations through its Advisory Group and agreed upon by its core members. These take account of government activity at a particular time relevant to bullying and aim to further the ABA’s vision to stop bullying and create safer environments in which children can thrive and achieve their potential. This policy and advocacy work as well as further partnership building will no doubt play key roles going forward. Working together with all our members we know that we must continue to build on our evidence base for effective practice and encourage ongoing research and evaluation, especially in areas that we know to be poorly served in these respects. So, here’s to a busy and productive next 20 years working to achieve a safer childhood for all children!

Below you will find messages from young people we've worked with, our members, staff and our partners about what ABA means to them to celebrate our 20th birthday.