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0:00:05 > 0:00:09- This footage was filmed outside - a Welsh-medium secondary school...
0:00:09 > 0:00:12- ..as a girl was bullied - by fellow pupils.
0:00:12 > 0:00:17- Tonight, she speaks for the - first time about the experience.
0:00:18 > 0:00:20- When it stopped, I just sat there.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23- One bent down and said, - "I think she's dead."
0:00:24 > 0:00:28- We also hear from the family - of a girl from Pembrokeshire...
0:00:28 > 0:00:31- ..who took her own life - after being bullied on line.
0:00:32 > 0:00:37- If there had been education within - the school of identifying it...
0:00:37 > 0:00:40- ..things might have been different.
0:00:41 > 0:00:46- The Children's Commissioner of Wales - has called on the government...
0:00:46 > 0:00:49- ..to do more to tackle the problem.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51- Bullying has a huge effect - on children...
0:00:52 > 0:00:54- ..and on children's ability - to learn.
0:00:54 > 0:00:58- Tonight, - as part of Anti-Bullying Week...
0:00:58 > 0:01:03- ..we look at two prominent cases - on the bullying register.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15- It's Saturday morning in Bridgend.
0:01:15 > 0:01:20- In a supermarket car park, - children, parents and teachers...
0:01:20 > 0:01:22- ..are about to set off - on a 12km walk...
0:01:23 > 0:01:25- ..to stand up to bullying.
0:01:27 > 0:01:32- One group has travelled from the - nearby Cynffig Comprehensive School.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36- 35 of us are here today.
0:01:36 > 0:01:41- We're raising money to help organise - more activities in the area...
0:01:41 > 0:01:44- ..to support people - who have problems.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47- We're providing information - to schools.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51- Leanne Geddes teaches at the school.
0:01:51 > 0:01:56- She says the school has done a lot - to try and tackle bullying.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59- She says it's a constant battle.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03- It can be a huge problem - in schools...
0:02:03 > 0:02:08- ..but at our school, there's plenty - going on to help children.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12- The charity is helping children - in the county...
0:02:13 > 0:02:16- ..who suffer - at the hands of bullying.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20- The organiser of the walk - is Finola Pickwell.
0:02:20 > 0:02:25- She's a development officer for - the Stand Against Bullying charity.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29- It was established three years ago - in Bridgend.
0:02:29 > 0:02:34- Having worked with children - and young people for years...
0:02:35 > 0:02:39- ..she says that bullying is - a complex and intense experience.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42- The imbalance of power - might not be there...
0:02:43 > 0:02:46- ..but if a young person - perceives there is an imbalance...
0:02:46 > 0:02:48- ..they will feel threatened.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52- It can be a one-off event but - if the person it's happened to...
0:02:52 > 0:02:56- ..believes there's a potential - for that event to happen again...
0:02:57 > 0:02:59- ..they'll be scared - and that's being bullied.
0:03:00 > 0:03:05- Most of the children and young - people on this sponsored walk...
0:03:06 > 0:03:07- ..have experience of bullying.
0:03:08 > 0:03:12- I want to raise money because - I was bullied when I was younger.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16- What's your message to bullies?
0:03:16 > 0:03:18- Just stop it.
0:03:18 > 0:03:23- Just don't make other people - feel sad.
0:03:24 > 0:03:30- It doesn't make you happy when - you bully someone so why do it?
0:03:30 > 0:03:32- There's no point.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37- Not everyone can discuss the matter - so openly.
0:03:39 > 0:03:43- According to a survey - by the Ditch the Label charity...
0:03:43 > 0:03:47- ..1.6 million people in Britain - were bullied last year.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51- 46% of those decided not to discuss - the problem with others.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55- Huw Irranca-Davies - has joined the walk.
0:03:55 > 0:04:01- A local AM, he is also the Minister - for Children and Social Care.
0:04:02 > 0:04:06- Bullying is a problem - that's under the surface.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08- That's a problem in itself.
0:04:08 > 0:04:15- There are very few children - and parents discussing the problem.
0:04:15 > 0:04:24- That's why it's so important - to raise the profile of bullying.
0:04:29 > 0:04:35- A serious case of bullying emerged - almost a year ago...
0:04:35 > 0:04:37- ..in Barry.
0:04:39 > 0:04:44- Georgia Thomas-Peters was on her way - home from Ysgol Bro Morgannwg...
0:04:45 > 0:04:47- ..when two pupils attacked her.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52- Someone filmed the incident - on a phone.
0:05:02 > 0:05:03- BEEP
0:05:04 > 0:05:07- You got beat the BLEEP up.
0:05:10 > 0:05:14- Tell me what was happening - when you walked down here.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17- Tonight, a year after the attack...
0:05:17 > 0:05:22- ..Georgia speaks about her - experience for the first time.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25- She returns to the scene - of the attack...
0:05:25 > 0:05:28- ..where dozens of pupils - were witnesses.
0:05:28 > 0:05:34- Everyone grabbed their phones and - started filming before it had begun.
0:05:34 > 0:05:36- Where did it happen?
0:05:37 > 0:05:40- Right here. People had formed - a half-circle here.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43- I was standing here and - the other girl was standing there.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47- Two girls had challenged Georgia - earlier in the day.
0:05:48 > 0:05:53- When the final bell of the day - was rung, everyone knew about it.
0:05:53 > 0:05:58- Georgia was followed to the park - and one of the girls attacked her.
0:05:58 > 0:06:03- She just hit me, she took me - to the ground here in the car park.
0:06:03 > 0:06:07- She just continued hitting me - and kicking me.
0:06:07 > 0:06:08- How long did that last?
0:06:08 > 0:06:10- How long did that last?- - About five minutes.
0:06:10 > 0:06:15- It's not clear to Georgia - why they picked on her.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20- I picked up my bag - and started to move away.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23- She came up behind me - and started to hit me.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26- She kicked me again - and I fell to the ground.
0:06:26 > 0:06:31- She continued, she kneed me in - the head and kicked me in the ribs.
0:06:31 > 0:06:33- I had a nosebleed.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36- My lips were bleeding.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40- Georgia tried to flee. She grabbed - her bag and tried to leave.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43- The crowd followed her - to this field.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45- The attack continued.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50- What went through your mind - when it happened to you?
0:06:50 > 0:06:54- I just knew I had to cover - my face and body.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00- Amongst the crowd who watched - and filmed the incident...
0:07:00 > 0:07:04- ..were pupils that Georgia - had considered to be her friends.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06- No-one tried to stop the attack.
0:07:06 > 0:07:10- Are you surprised that none of them - stepped in to help you?
0:07:10 > 0:07:12- When it was over, - I just sat on the ground.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15- One bent down and said, - "I think she's dead."
0:07:16 > 0:07:18- Someone said that to you?
0:07:18 > 0:07:20- They shouted, "I hope you kill her."
0:07:21 > 0:07:23- That's been caught on camera.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27- How does that make you feel, - that someone shouted that?
0:07:27 > 0:07:29- She almost succeeded.
0:07:33 > 0:07:37- Georgia's father - lives in Merthyr Tydfil.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44- He was at home - when he heard about the attack.
0:07:44 > 0:07:48- We had a call from Georgia's friend - to say she'd been in a fight.
0:07:48 > 0:07:53- I thought there'd been a couple - of kids fighting over a handbag.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57- Georgia's friend was crying. - We had a further phone call.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00- I still didn't think it was serious.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04- When her father realised - how serious it was...
0:08:04 > 0:08:07- ..he took Georgia to the hospital - to see a doctor.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12- He found some dried blood - in her left ear I think it was.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14- She had to go for a CT scan.
0:08:14 > 0:08:18- He said he suspected - there'd been a bleed to the brain.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21- Luckily, - there was no serious injury.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24- She was allowed home that night.
0:08:24 > 0:08:29- In the meantime, videos of the - attack were shared on social media.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33- When her father saw the footage, - he shared the clip on line.
0:08:34 > 0:08:35- Why did you put that video on line?
0:08:35 > 0:08:37- Why did you put that video on line?- - Frustration.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39- Some of it was preventative...
0:08:40 > 0:08:44- ..to ensure that those things - didn't happen again.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48- Footage of the attack was shared...
0:08:49 > 0:08:52- ..and soon, it came to the attention - of Ysgol Bro Morgannwg.
0:08:52 > 0:08:57- It was also seen by Hywel Price, - the headmaster.
0:08:59 > 0:09:05- We saw footage from four, - five, maybe six mobile phones.
0:09:05 > 0:09:09- We had strong evidence - of what had happened.
0:09:10 > 0:09:14- On that basis, we suspended - the pupils for 11 school days...
0:09:14 > 0:09:19- ..which allowed us time to complete - a full inquiry into what happened.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21- So many pupils were part of it.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25- We had to ensure we followed - the correct procedures.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29- Almost 900 pupils - attend Ysgol Bro Morgannwg.
0:09:29 > 0:09:35- Hywel Price says that cases - of bullying are very low there.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39- This attack left its mark - on everyone.
0:09:40 > 0:09:44- We made some announcements - in the Christmas service...
0:09:44 > 0:09:49- ..because we had to convince the - parents that the pupils were safe.
0:09:49 > 0:09:54- The headmaster defends the school's - record on tackling bullying...
0:09:54 > 0:09:57- ..and the way they dealt - with Georgia's case.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00- He says that bullying - takes many forms.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04- It's more difficult than ever - to monitor it.
0:10:04 > 0:10:08- There are elements of bullying - in every school.
0:10:08 > 0:10:12- No matter where you are, when - it does happen, it can be hidden.
0:10:12 > 0:10:18- Teachers don't notice - as much as they did years ago.
0:10:18 > 0:10:24- There are more sly forms - of bullying people these days.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26- We might not know about it.
0:10:26 > 0:10:30- That incident in November - was arranged on mobile phones.
0:10:30 > 0:10:34- The teachers wouldn't have known - about it.
0:10:34 > 0:10:39- There would have been - no warning about it.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46- After the attack, - Georgia returned to school...
0:10:46 > 0:10:49- ..to complete her GCSE studies.
0:10:49 > 0:10:53- She said that returning - was a strange experience.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57- I walked into the class - and sat down.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01- Everyone was like, "What's she - doing here? Why is she here?"
0:11:01 > 0:11:05- She's left school now - but her younger sister, Siobhan...
0:11:05 > 0:11:07- ..is still a pupil there.
0:11:08 > 0:11:14- Both her attackers were permanently - excluded from the school.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21- You're glad they were excluded. Why?
0:11:22 > 0:11:28- To make sure my sister or no-one - else experiences the same problem.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32- They can't do it again - to anyone in school.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38- The police investigated - the incident.
0:11:38 > 0:11:42- Georgia's attackers - were given a formal caution.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45- That's not enough - according to her father.
0:11:46 > 0:11:50- When you look at the videos, and the - kneeing and kicking to the head...
0:11:50 > 0:11:53- ..things can just change - so differently.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57- It only has to be harder - and in a different place...
0:11:57 > 0:12:01- ..and the results would have been - different for everybody.
0:12:01 > 0:12:05- Different for the girls involved, - different for us and Georgia.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09- According to recent research, - 28% of youngsters...
0:12:09 > 0:12:13- ..are scared of attending school - because of online bullying.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18- In Part 2, - we meet a Pembrokeshire mother...
0:12:18 > 0:12:23- ..who says her daughter took her - own life to escape online bullying.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25- I don't think it's quite...
0:12:27 > 0:12:30- ..still quite sunk in - to be truthful.
0:12:31 > 0:12:32- .
0:12:35 > 0:12:35- Subtitles
0:12:35 > 0:12:37- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:12:40 > 0:12:42- It's Anti-Bullying Week.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45- We're looking at the problem - in Wales.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50- According to a recent report - by the Ditch the Label charity...
0:12:50 > 0:12:57- ..46% of people between 12 and 25 - in Wales have experienced bullying.
0:12:57 > 0:13:01- 33% have considered - taking their own lives.
0:13:06 > 0:13:11- In Pembrokeshire, one mother knows - the consequences of bullying.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13- In February...
0:13:14 > 0:13:17- ..Nicola Harteveld's life - changed forever...
0:13:17 > 0:13:22- ..when she realised daughter Megan - had been bullied for some time.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25- Until then, her family had no idea.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28- She always appeared happy.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32- Nothing ever phased her. - She was confident.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36- Everything you'd expect - from a teenage girl.
0:13:37 > 0:13:42- Megan was 14 years old. She attended - Ysgol Gyfun Aberdaugleddau.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45- She had a big group of friends.
0:13:46 > 0:13:51- Nicola says she cared for everyone - but kept her worries to herself.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55- There was a couple of girls - in particular...
0:13:55 > 0:13:59- ..she had heated conversations with, - I should say...
0:13:59 > 0:14:01- ..that we found out on Facebook.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04- She was getting messaged - morning, noon and night.
0:14:04 > 0:14:08- Her records show that it was - two, three o'clock in the morning.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13- She received constant messages - on many social media platforms...
0:14:13 > 0:14:16- ..including Facebook and Snapchat.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19- One night in February, - it all became too much.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24- Something obviously happened - that night.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27- There was an apparent message - that was sent...
0:14:28 > 0:14:33- ..telling her to go and hang herself - from a certain person.
0:14:33 > 0:14:34- She replied, "OK."
0:14:37 > 0:14:39- Later that night...
0:14:39 > 0:14:41- ..the family found her body.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47- I didn't have any idea.
0:14:47 > 0:14:52- Even the night she died, - she was happy.
0:14:52 > 0:14:57- A couple of hours beforehand, - she was laughing, joking.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02- It's come to light - that a few weeks beforehand...
0:15:02 > 0:15:05- ..she was really upset in school.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08- She was receiving messages - during lesson time.
0:15:08 > 0:15:13- Her friends said she had to leave - the classroom because she was upset.
0:15:20 > 0:15:25- Since her death, Megan's mother - has set up a charity in her memory.
0:15:25 > 0:15:27- Megan's Starr.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32- It helps young people to help - other young people being bullied.
0:15:32 > 0:15:37- Nicola feels that the current - education system has failed...
0:15:37 > 0:15:39- ..in the case of her daughter.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43- I think Megan obviously showed signs - in school...
0:15:43 > 0:15:47- ..that she was under - this intense pressure.
0:15:47 > 0:15:51- It wasn't identified, - it wasn't picked up.
0:15:53 > 0:15:58- Perhaps if there had been more - education within the school...
0:15:58 > 0:16:02- ..of identifying it, - things might have been different.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15- We asked for the school's response.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18- In a statement - by Pembrokeshire Council...
0:16:18 > 0:16:21- ..they said that all schools - had structures in place...
0:16:22 > 0:16:24- ..to deal with cases of bullying.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28- The pupil's voice is a priority - and pupils are aware...
0:16:28 > 0:16:31- ..of members of staff - they can contact...
0:16:31 > 0:16:34- ..to raise concerns about bullying.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36- They went on to discuss - Megan's case.
0:16:37 > 0:16:42- A historical allegation of bullying - had been raised by her parents...
0:16:42 > 0:16:46- ..and the school had noted - and dealt with that case.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49- No further cases - had been raised by her parents.
0:16:53 > 0:16:57- For the past 30 years, ChildLine - has encouraged young people...
0:16:57 > 0:16:59- ..to share their problems.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04- Lisa Vranch - from Cardiff's ChildLine office...
0:17:04 > 0:17:08- ..supports people - who contact the helpline.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11- She's very aware - of the seriousness of bullying.
0:17:12 > 0:17:16- What we hear a lot about bullying...
0:17:16 > 0:17:19- ..is the emotional effect - it has on the child.
0:17:19 > 0:17:24- It can change quickly - from feeling down and lonely...
0:17:24 > 0:17:27- ..to self-harm - and suicidal thoughts.
0:17:28 > 0:17:32- Very quickly, we can see bullying - affecting children greatly...
0:17:33 > 0:17:37- ..and it can go from feeling OK - at the start of the week...
0:17:37 > 0:17:40- ..to feeling suicidal - by the end of the week.
0:17:40 > 0:17:45- That's a major problem. - It's a problem children experience.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48- Last year, - almost 500 young people in Wales...
0:17:48 > 0:17:52- ..received counselling sessions - from ChildLine...
0:17:52 > 0:17:55- ..particularly dealing - with bullying.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58- According to Lisa, - young people don't always realise...
0:17:59 > 0:18:01- ..what's really happening.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05- Bullying can make a child - feel lonely.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08- Initially, - we provide a safe place...
0:18:08 > 0:18:11- ..to allow them to talk - about what's happened...
0:18:11 > 0:18:13- ..and help them understand.
0:18:13 > 0:18:18- They might not understand - some - don't know they are being bullied.
0:18:23 > 0:18:28- I've contacted local authorities - across Wales to discover...
0:18:28 > 0:18:33- ..how many cases of bullying - have been recorded in Welsh schools.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36- What's apparent is - that not all local authorities...
0:18:36 > 0:18:38- ..collect this information.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44- Of the 22 county councils - in Wales...
0:18:44 > 0:18:47- ..only half could share - their figures with us.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51- Between those 11 - education authorities...
0:18:51 > 0:18:56- ..over 4,000 cases of bullying have - been recorded in the past two years.
0:18:56 > 0:19:01- Eight counties said that they didn't - collect figures centrally at all.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08- I asked the Welsh Government - for their response...
0:19:08 > 0:19:10- ..to these irregularities.
0:19:10 > 0:19:15- They said schools should record - every case of racial bullying...
0:19:15 > 0:19:20- ..but schools weren't required - to record other cases of bullying.
0:19:20 > 0:19:24- They also said that they were - reviewing their guidelines...
0:19:24 > 0:19:26- ..to try and combat bullying.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30- New guidelines - will be published next year.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36- According to the - Children's Commissioner for Wales...
0:19:36 > 0:19:39- ..the Welsh Government - should act now...
0:19:39 > 0:19:42- ..to safeguard children - and young people from bullying.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45- She wants to see major changes...
0:19:45 > 0:19:49- ..which would force schools - to adopt a nationwide system.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53- The government should set - a statutory responsibility...
0:19:54 > 0:19:57- ..in schools to record - every incident of bullying...
0:19:57 > 0:19:59- ..and the types of bullying - taking place.
0:20:00 > 0:20:04- As well as recording every case, - the Children's Commissioner...
0:20:04 > 0:20:09- ..wants the government to establish - a clear definition of bullying...
0:20:09 > 0:20:12- ..to help schools identify cases.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17- If there was a clear definition - of bullying...
0:20:17 > 0:20:22- ..schools would know what to record - and what not to record.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25- Bullying has a huge effect - on children...
0:20:25 > 0:20:29- ..and on children's ability - to learn.
0:20:30 > 0:20:35- The headmaster of Ysgol Gyfun - Bro Morgannwg believes...
0:20:35 > 0:20:37- ..that the current system works.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41- His staff are already - recording cases.
0:20:41 > 0:20:46- Schools have recorded cases - of bullying for years...
0:20:46 > 0:20:51- ..but it comes down to - someone's perception of bullying.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56- Is it a case of bullying that - needs to be passed on to the county?
0:20:58 > 0:21:01- He wants to see an emphasis - on tackling the causes...
0:21:02 > 0:21:05- ..instead of recording - minor incidents.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09- It's paper work, - it's administrative work.
0:21:09 > 0:21:14- Do you want to record - every conversation with every pupil?
0:21:14 > 0:21:19- That's very difficult to enforce.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23- Since the attack last November...
0:21:23 > 0:21:27- ..the headmaster has introduced - a new system.
0:21:27 > 0:21:31- Bullied children can alert teachers - anonymously by text.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34- Cases have dropped significantly.
0:21:36 > 0:21:41- According to the school, - 13 cases were recorded last year...
0:21:41 > 0:21:44- ..compared with 12 in a term - before the attack.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51- For this mother - from Milford Haven...
0:21:51 > 0:21:54- ..a consistent nationwide system - needs to be introduced...
0:21:55 > 0:21:59- ..which allows everyone to operate - within the same standards.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05- There are some schools - that take it seriously...
0:22:05 > 0:22:08- ..and they've done - a fantastic job with it.
0:22:08 > 0:22:12- There are other schools - that have got a lot of work to do.
0:22:12 > 0:22:16- You're not going - to eradicate bullying forever...
0:22:16 > 0:22:21- ..it's a part of our society, - but you can reduce the instances.
0:22:24 > 0:22:28- Georgia Thomas-Peters - has completed her GCSE studies.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30- She's left school.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34- She still sees the bullies - every now and then.
0:22:36 > 0:22:40- Sometimes, I see them, - I see the girls.
0:22:40 > 0:22:44- I keep away from them, - I stay with my friends.
0:22:45 > 0:22:49- My friends help me through it - if I see them, they still help me.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54- The nightmare of the attack, - and the videos of it...
0:22:54 > 0:22:57- ..still plays on her mind.
0:23:00 > 0:23:04- Looking at the videos, - it doesn't feel like what happened.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08- What I remember happening looks - nothing like it did on the videos.
0:23:08 > 0:23:12- It's weird looking back at it. - I don't remember anything about it.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30- S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.
0:23:30 > 0:23:31- .