Dad launches anti-bullying campaign after son takes his own life in Southwater home

A former Southwater man whose son took his own life has launched an anti-bullying campaign.
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Paul Vodden will call for greater vigilance on school transport during the BUSK Transport Safety Conference on Tuesday (April 1).

Sadly Paul has first-hand experience of the devastating effects bullying can have after his son 11-year-old Ben took his own life at their Southwater home in December 2006.

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Paul spoke about the Vodden Report which stressed that many incidents of long term bullying start on the school bus and currently not enough is being done to protect and support victims of bullying in this environment.

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Vooden Report

The campaigner said: “BUSK is a nationwide organisation which works to promote safe child road transport, so their conference provides a great opportunity to discuss the issue of bullying on school buses with a large number of influential people who are responsible for providing transport arrangements for school children.

“We are aiming to raise awareness of this serious issue which affects thousands of children and their families every day.”

Paul said talking about something which is so close to home can be difficult, but he is passionate about getting the message across.