Bullying on bebo

An inquest into the death of schoolgirl Megan Gillan, 15, has uncovered that leading up to her death Megan was being cyber bullied.

Colassmates 'waged a war' against Megan and had been using bebo to post degrading and menacing comments.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2009/07/30/bullied-to-death-on-bebo-115875-21557626/

The charity Beatbullying have commented: "Cyber bullying can be more harmful than schoolyard bullying. Kids have no escape. It's a big issue for social network sites."

Met Police - choose a different ending viral launched.

Met Police's new anti-knife crime campaign has launched with a YouTube viral. Based on the idea of choosing your own ending, like that series of kids books, the viral is seperated into 3 sections. In between each, you are asked to make a decision - each has 3 outcomes and you can select which ending you get.

Really interesting viral; thought provoking and has generated some press coverage already.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFVkzYDNJqo&NR=1

Young offenders institute branded a 'holiday camp'

A prison officer has revealed to the Daily Mail that inmates at Warren Hill in Suffolk lived a life of Riley; enjoying state of the art gym facilities and Nintendo wii games consoles.

Of course, it is the Daily Mail so we'd expect no less.. but still, stories like this do our 'Consequences' strand no good at all. Continued coverage in the press of prison as a holiday camp detracts from the very real negatives of life inside.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1202481/Latest-games-giant-plasma-TVs-personalised-toilet-seat-covers--The-lavish-prison-lifestyle-juvenile-murderers.html

TKAP criticised in national press

The press has criticised the TKAP for failing to reduce the numbers of teen deaths caused by knife crime.

In 3 areas, the number of violent crimes involving knives has increased (Thames Valley for e.g. has seen an increase of 42%).

Importantly, it has been recognised that the overall number of stabbings has decreased.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8161880.stm

KAAF coverage in local press

http://www.camdengazette.co.uk/content/camden/chronicle/news/story.aspx?brand=CAMCOnline&category=news&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=newscamc&itemid=WeED15%20Jul%202009%2017%3A49%3A43%3A743

Kids Are Alright Foundation announces gig in Camden

I read in my local paper about these two ordinary Camden men who are so concerned about knife crime in the area that they’ve given up their jobs to set up the Kids Are Alright Foundation.

Worried that local young people are disenfranchised, with no sense of belonging in their area and nothing to do, KAAF has been set up to address these issues by fundraising. The hope is that with money to set up teams, provide amenities and give young people something to be proud of, they will choose a more positive path.

KAAF has organised a gig at the Forum in Kentish Town and managed to get artists to perform for free. Check out: http://www.the-kids-are-alright.com/ for details.

Teenager stabbed at Bermondsey Carnival

Bermondsey Carnival was cancelled this weekend after a teenager was stabbed and bottled at the event. The festival, attended by thousands, was cancelled after the boy was found with wounds to his face and leg.

http://latestnews.virginmedia.com/news/uk/2009/07/12/knife_attack_halts_festival_concert

15yr old girl charged over knife attack

A 15yr old has been charged following a violent attack in Worksop. A 49yr woman was treated for stab wounds in what appears to have been a racially motivated attack.

http://www.worksopguardian.co.uk/news/Worksop-girl-charged-after-stabbing.5454506.jp

21yr old on trial for murder of his girlfriend

A 21yr old man is on trial this week for the stabbing of his 19yr old girlfriend in Bolton.

The mother of the defendent is a police officer, and is accused of assisting an offender. She washed the accused clothes, apparently in an attempt to destroy forensic evidence.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/lawandorder/5819816/Teenage-model-told-999-operator-my-boyfriend-stabbed-me-to-death.html

Social networking: agents of change bebo event

Yesterday I attended a conference hosted by bebo; examining how online social networking can and has been used to change how we listen and in turn speak to our consumer.

A diverse range of speakers included Alexander Rose, Rock Corps, Netsquared and The Princes Trust. High points of the day, for me, were talks and performances held by inspirational collective Urban Mission, who work with disadvantaged young people; plus an honest and poignant talk from young eating disorder sufferer, on behalf of the charity beat.

Throughout the day I was reminded of just how vital the issue of engaging with young people is if we are to help reduce the knife crime figures. Themes which came up in the workshop sessions helped reinforce several themes we have previously discussed;
- The need to engage young people through credible routes
- The power which enabling positive shared experiences can have
- The need for positive and accessible role models

The afternoon workshop session saw teams from a broad range of backgrounds (mental health charities, PR, online companies, youth workers and so on) working together to devise ideas for how the campaign can progress. Identifying key challenges, then devising solutions, the team ideas were:

1. Harness and unite people power - a coalition-funded pool of info available to all branded 'Help yourself'.

2. Engaging with disadvantaged young people - utlising our links with youth workers and other agencies to create a network of support and guidance for young people. To be hosted online but guide young people to those in their local area who can help.

3. Maintaining a balance between the need for credible communications to empower young people and our role as responsible adults. Branded 'See Change, Be Change' this idea saw a pledge from adults to young people for help and support.

4. Inspiring young people to value their lives. Direct and sustained communication with young people, (similar to the principles of Rock Corps) and fostering pride within their communities.

5. Finding the hook to engage young people. Incentivising with learning experiences, whilst inspiring them to also give in return.

6. Changing perceptions of knife carrying. Carrying a knife is not cool, it doesn't make you a real man.

7. Empowering young people to have realistic and positive role models. Branded 'Connect' this idea seeks to provide authentic and accessible role models for young people.

bebo will be writing up all ideas captured in the session, which I'll distribute once we receive them.