Code of practice
The proposed Victoria WorkSafe Code of Practice for the Prevention of Bullying and Violence in the Workplace is at http://www.workcover.vic.gov.au/dir090/vwa/home.nsf/pages/workplace_bullying

Hell at work
Silent Hell: workplace violence and bullying is a new book by Dr Charmaine Hockley. See successunlimited/books/recread.htm#SH or email charmainehockley@ozemail.com.au for details.

Support for targets of bullying in Australia
South Australian Employee Ombudsman Gary Collis has for many years provided support to those targeted by workplace bullies and worked with unions and employers who are committed to providing bully-free work environments. At http://www.employeeombudsman.sa.gov.au you'll find the guide Bullies Not Wanted: Recognising and Eliminating WorkPlace Bullying

Support and Advice
The Working Women's Centre in South Australia provides information and support for women bullied in the workplace. In 1997 the Centre published its groundbreaking research in a report Workplace Bullying Project which is available via http://www.wwc.org.au

Conference proceedings
Proceedings of the Adelaide International Workplace Bullying Conference in January 2002 are available; email sandra@wwc.org.au for details.

Bullying is bad for health
Since 2000 the ACTU (main union body in Australia) has been running a campaign on bullying called Being bossed around is bad for your health: http://admin.vunions.com.au/vunions/actu/article.cfm?objectid=C5FB0F56-041A-4FE2-B92DFBF7D8833778

Spiritual abuse
Cultures of secrecy and abuse: a paradox for Churches is a book by Cara Beed, see http://www.netspace.net.au/~cncbeed which calls on churches to face structures and processes in their organisations that inhibit personal autonomy and undermine faith. Churches in Australia, Ireland (http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/northern_ireland/newsid_1920000/1920138.stm) and USA (http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/americas/newsid_1911000/1911772.stm) have recently been forced to admit to widespread bullying and abuse as well as cover-ups by church hierarchies.

Bullies Down Under
Resources for Australians are listed at workbully/oz.htm and the Australian site Bullies Down Under is at www.bulliesdownunder.com

Mobbing: Emotional Abuse In the American Workplace
This comprehensive book by Davenport, Schwartz, and Elliott has just been republished. Details at http://www.mobbing-usa.com

Scotland Yard detective suspended amid bullying claims
A senior detective in the Damilola Taylor murder inquiry, Detective Chief Superintendent Chris Jarratt, has been transferred to another post after an inquiry into allegations of bullying of junior officers. He was said to have had "an abrasive management style": http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/dynamic/news/story.html?in_review_id=519187

BBC Broadcaster wins case
Helen Reed, a former broadcast assistant on BBC Radio Bristol's Morning West programme, claimed she had been undermined and devalued by the station's managing editor who, among other things, took exception to her red hair. Full story at www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_564469.html

Traumatic memories
Survivors and witnesses show symptoms of trauma and PTSD following the events of 11 September:
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/11/nyregion/11PSYC.html?ex=1016911125&ei=1&en=2c65e8d141904baf

One in six people consider suicide
According to a survey by the Office for National Statistics, nearly one in six UK adults (15% of the population) have contemplated suicide at some time in their lives. Around 4% consider suicide each year. More at http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/health/newsid_1892000/1892774.stm

New DAWN in the UK West Midlands
DAWN (Dignity At Work Now) is a workplace bullying support group in the West Midlands, England. Initially, the focus will be on teachers and workers in the educational sector, but it is intended that others will be able to benefit from its activities. An inaugural meeting will be held on Tuesday 16 April 2002 (7:15 for 7:30 start) at Dorridge Methodist Church (Room 1), Mill Lane, Dorridge, Solihull B93 8NY (Birmingham A-Z, page 125, 4H) or see www.streetmap.co.uk. It would help the organisers to know if you are interested in attending. Tel 01564 776748 for details or email Cath at cath@mckerracher69.freeserve.co.uk

Writing partners required
Andy Taylor is looking for a writing partner(s) to help put together his case study into workplace bullying, including the investigation and the struggle to overcome the injustice and PTSD. He is aiming to produce a book that is accessible and readable to all. The idea is to produce something that holds the interest of the casual reader, whilst providing complete interpretation and analysis for those who wish to use it as a 'Training case study'. For details contact Andrew Taylor, Tel:+44 (0)1444 443088 or Email awt_mail@msn.com

Stress conference
Tim Field is speaking at SOS - Stress or Success, a one-day conference organised by NHS Plus which looks at the causes of stress and what you can do about them. Details at workbully/conf.htm#SOS

BMJ publishes responses to letter on bullying
See http://bmj.com/cgi/content/full/324/7340/786/a

Spanish book on bullying
El maltrata psicologico: como defenderse del mobbing y otras formas de acoso, Jose Luis Gonzalez de Rivera. See http://www.psicoter.es

Contribute to research
The surveys page at workbully/surveys.htm enables you to share your experience with researchers etc. The latest request is a survey about how helpful your union has been to your case.

SCHOOL BULLYING

Another Canadian bullycide
Emmet Fralick, a 14-year-old pupil at St Agnes School in Halifax shot himself in his bedroom because he was being bullied by classmates. Emmet was regarded as a quiet boy with a reputation for kindness to others. See http://www.canada.com/halifax/story.asp?id={CE976A30-5DE6-4E7F-B87A-B2AC8EDDEBA8}

Guilty verdict in Canadian bullycide case
A Canadian court heard how two girls assaulted and threatened Dawn-Marie Wesley shortly before Dawn took her life. See http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2002/03/25/wesley020325

Waging Peace on CTV Canada
Bullying and aggression are rampant in the corridors and classrooms of a Canadian school in CTV's Waging Peace: http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/HTMLTemplate/CTVShowsDocumentaries?tf=ctv/generic/hubs/ctvShows.html&cf=ctv/generic/hubs/ctvShows.cfg&this_site=CTVShowsDocumentaries&title=doc_peace

Link between bullying and suicide - can you help?
What information was available in or before 1998 that shows a link between school bullying and depression or student victims' suicide? It would be helpful if this information originates in the USA, but any information, from anywhere, will be appreciated. Also, we are exploring the forseeability of assaultive bullying and inappropriate discipline leading to a student suicide. Another way to put it might be whether a school district should have been aware in 1998 (or before) that student suicide was within the ambit of risk from a school district's failure to control or isolate a known bully, and/or it's failure to intervene correctly when the bully victimizes another student again. Anyone who can help answer either of these questions with research, reports, articles, etc please reply to jaredstory@jaredstory.com This information will possibly be used within the text of a wrongful death lawsuit. See also www.jaredstory.com

Group shares ideas about bullying
This group is for anyone, any age, anywhere. We share our ideas for solving the bully problem, as well as our stories about bullying. People can sign up at http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/bullies or email bullies-subscribe@smartgroups.com.

Fear and Loathing Symposium
This year's symposium in Ottawa focuses on bullying and features Dr Dan Olweus from the University of Bergen, Norway. Program and registration details at http://www.cayfo.ca/bullying/program.html

Time to Tell 'Em Off!
...by Deanna Miller is a pocket guide to overcoming peer ridicule. Available also as an e-book, this has been published in paperback. Written with 5th-12th graders in mind, but readable by anyone, Time to Tell 'Em Off presents a step-by-step plan for rebuilding self-esteem and rebuilding peer relationships. More at www.booklocker.com/bookpages/dmiller.html

Get bullying at the top of the agenda
If you're in the UK, write to the DfEE ( address) or email them via their website explaining that bullies are preventing your child undertaking their education. If the school is failing to deal with the bullies, highlight this too. The DfEE keep a scorecard of the most frequently-asked questions, so you'll be helping to propel bullying to the number one spot where it should be. The more people who write, and keep on writing, the better.

Brookside bullying storyline
Like 'em or loathe 'em, there's no doubting that soaps are popular. Their main purpose, in my view, is to tackle social issues in order to overcome taboos and get people discussing issues they'd rather ignore. In that vein, Brookside ( www.brookside.com) has been running a story line in which young Anthony is persistently bullied by Imelda at school. Eventually, in a struggle to escape Imelda's latest assault, Anthony pushes here away, she falls, hits her head on a rock, topples into a pond and drowns. In real life, everyone would turn on Anthony and his family, the LEA would deny responsibility for months of bullying which was in breach of their duty of care, and Anthony will be persecuted and prosecuted for murder. Bullying rarely has a happy ending.

MEDIA CORNER

Share your experience
Nadine Bateman is women's editor for the Southern Daily Echo newspaper based in Southampton, England. Nadine is researching a feature on harassment and bullying in the workplace for the paper's LIFE section and she'd like to interview someone in the Hampshire/West Sussex/Dorset region, for preference someone who is willing to be identified, perhaps someone who has successfully taken their employers to an employment tribunal. If you're willing to share your experience, especially if you successfully sought help, please get in touch. Email nadine.bateman@soton-echo.co.uk

Now magazine
Amy Bratley is a writer for Now magazine and she's researching bullying in the work place. Amy islooking for women in the UK aged between 18-35 who have experienced bullying at work from a boss or colleague who would be willing to share their story. Identities can be protected/ concealed and information will be handled with sensitivity and in strictest confidence. The feature will contain help and advice for those in similar situations. Contact Amy on 0207 261 5624 or you can email amy_bratley@ipcmedia.com

City Survival Guide
...are short films from UK Carlton Television with advice for people being bullied at work and for parents. Bullying in the Workplace is being shown on Tuesday 16 April at 23:58 and on Thursday 18 April at 13:28, whilst Advice for Parents is being shown on Thursday 18 April at 15:18 and on Friday 19 April at 15:03. See www.itv.com/citysurvivalguide

New links this month

Canadian article on workplace bullying
See http://www.google.ca/search?q=cache:Qcs5tfK1-YEC:www.bestlaw.ca/pdf/bullywork.pdf+vicarious+liability+workplace+bullying&hl=en or click here

Ethical policing in Canada
http://www.angelfire.com/on4/bulliedpolice/

Self-help groups
Described by the BMJ as "an invaluable reference source", www.ukselfhelp.info has up-to-date details of nearly 800 groups and organisations which provide practical advice and information on a national basis, often with local contacts. There are links to most groups.

Social workers
Employees from the social services sector are the third largest groups of callers to my Advice Line and web site. This link is about burnout: http://www.friedsocialworker.com

Stalking paper
The Web Journal of Current Legal Issues based at the University of Newcastle Law School: http://webjcli.ncl.ac.uk/2000/issue1/vonheussen1.html

Popular pages
I've added some entries to the table which explains the difference between management and bullying: workbully/manage.htm

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