Turning the table on cyber bullies

The Ban Bullying at Work campaign, part of The Andrea Adams Trust, the UK's first charity dedicated to raising awareness of bullying in the workplace is launching a new online campaign using the internet and social networking site Facebook.

Working with Global ad agency Leo Burnett a fresh new web presence has been created with several interactive features that link directly to off-line participation. For the first time visitors to the site will be encouraged to speak out against bullying in the workplace and submit a virtual balloon message online. On the 7th November 2007 these balloons will then be released across London in a mass balloon launch.

www.banbullyingatwork.com also features a brand new Speak Out mass participation survey which aims to form the largest survey into attitudes and behaviours surrounding workplace bullying ever undertaken: www.banbullyingatwork.com/speakout-survey.html

The Ban Bullying at Work group on social networking site Facebook has already attracted over 200 members. This is set to increase as awareness grows in the run-up to November 7th. Members use the Facebook group to share advice and support from others and membership extends globally growing the message that bullying in the workplace should not be tolerated.

Lyn Witheridge, Founder and Chief Executive, Ban Bullying at work says; Last year we had 1 million visits to our site. Such an unprecedented number of people taking part through digital channels made us sit up and take notice. We have at our disposal an invaluable tool for communicating with individuals and with businesses to tackle bullying. We have developed a digital strategy which allows us to interact and expand our network and ultimately raise awareness of the issues surrounding workplace bullying to a new audience. All too often and as is the case with cyber-bullying, email, which we call flame mail has been flagged up as easy tool to bully others. However, our mission is to turn this on its head and use these same resources for the benefit of others.

As part of the campaign an email marketing communication has already been sent to over 3000 businesses. Now in its fifth year the Ban Bullying at Work day will take place on 7th November. The day is spearheaded by The Andrea Adams Trust, the world's only non-political, not for profit charity tackling workplace bullying. The 2007 campaign will encourage people to 'SPEAK OUT' against bullying to address issues and create a productive working environment. Over one million people took part in Ban Bullying at Work Day in 2006.

For a summary please contact Helen Trevorrow or Sara Manstan on 020 8960 8950.