Families spearhead anti-bullying moves

Five Wairarapa families will become the face of the impact of bullying when a new anti-bullying campaign is launched next month.

The initiative is being run by Violence Free Network Wairarapa and the families will present speeches in each town about the effects of bullying.

They will also be trained to let people affected by bullying know where to go to get help.

Network co-ordinator Gerry Brooking said they hoped to raise awareness of the effects of bullying.

"They'll be talking about their stories and how they reached help and changed," she said.

"A lot of it really is parents supporting their children in all facets."

Violence prevention co-ordinator Ces Newton said there will also be a media and social media element to the project.

She said the project is timely with the latest legislation in Government.

"The only way it's going to stand up is if the community get on board and make an effort ... or else things aren't going to change."

She said cyber bullying was especially becoming an issue today.

"It just has such massive implications for so many people that the kids just need to be so careful."