PRESS RELEASE

Athens, March 9^th, 2022

“Speak Now”  against School Violence and Bullying

• 6 out of 10 Greeks say that they have been bullied as children and teenagers

• 49% believe that a child who is being bullied does not ask for help from anyone

• In the last four months of 2021 "The Smile of the Child" handled an average of 2 cases of school bullying per day

• The National Helpline for Children SOS 1056 manages 1 call per day for psychological support due to bullying

• The phenomenon of school violence is an issue that concerns society as a whole and it is a public health issue

"The Smile of the Child"

• As a well-recognized across Europe "National Center against School Violence and Bullying", thanks to its actions and services nationwide in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs and in the framework of a respective Cooperation Agreement
• Having the Presidency of the European Antibullying Network, where 23 organizations from 15 European countries participate

and “YouSmile”, the European Student Volunteer Network of the Organization, with the support and participation of the European Antibullying Network

announced the launch of an annual nationwide campaign entitled "Mila Tora" (Speak Now) regarding the phenomenon of School Violence and Bullying.

The initiation of the nationwide campaign entitled "Speak Now” was announced on 9 March 2022 during the online Event held by "The Smile of the Child" on the occasion of March 6^th, which is recognized in our country as the National Day against School Violence and Bullying.

The phenomenon has assumed particularly worrying proportions in our country, as has been recorded in the official statistics of the Organization. It is worth emphasizing that during the last four months of 2021, through the National Helpline for Children SOS 1056 "The Smile of the Child" has handled an average of 2 cases of school violence and bullying per school day. At the same time, the specialized team of psychologists of the Organization responded and carried out 91 interventions for the prevention of violence (bullying - cyberbullying) in schools of primary and secondary levels of education nationwide.

However, the concern about the extent and the particular characteristics of the phenomenon is reinforced by the research data, conducted voluntarily by the company Focus Bari for "The Smile of the Child", based on which:

• 6 out of 10 Greeks state that they have been bullied before reaching adulthood
• 49% believe that a child who is being bullied does not ask for help from anyone
• Only 2 out of 5 of those who have been bullied as children asked for help to deal with the problem, with parents being their 1^st choice (18%) and teachers their 2^nd choice (only 6%)
• The school seems to be the predominant place where bullying occurs
• 70% believe that children seek attention through their bullying behavior

The students of YouSmile, the European Student Volunteer Network of the Organization, play a decisive role in the campaign, and along with other actions, they designed and created an amazing spot with 4 Real stories of children who are being Bullied and were managed by "The Smile of the Child"

/ Link video https://youtu.be/BhLISJBdGw4

The Event was attended by the President of the Organization Mr. Costas Yannopoulos, a psychologist of the Organization Mr. Stefanos Alevizos, students/members of YouSmile, and the Coordinator of the Network, Ms. Georgina Tsaga.

The event was honored by the Minister of Education and Religious Affairs, Ms. Niki Kerameos, the Deputy Minister of Education and Religious Affairs, Ms. Zetta Makri, the President of the Hellenic Federation of Modern Pentathlon, the General Secretary of the National Olympic Academy, the Deputy Director and Head of Educational Programs of the International Olympic Truce Centre, Ms. Dora Palli, and also Ms. Xenia Kourtoglou, Founder & Managing partner of Focus Bari.

The event was coordinated by the journalist, Ms. Anthi Voulgari, whom "The Smile of the Child" wishes to warmly thank.

The President of "The Smile of the Child" Mr. Costas Yannopoulos presented the Campaign and the Actions that will be implemented and stated: “"The Smile of the Child" begins a huge effort wishing to highlight the real dimensions of the problems that exist in the school community, but also those outside the school that extend into the neighborhoods. Our goal is to inform, raise awareness, mobilize everyone, and most importantly to raise awareness on the extent and horrific effects of school intimidation. The data we have from the National Helpline for Children SOS 1056 are overwhelming, not only in terms of numbers, but also in terms of the intensity of violence that occurs between children. In our communication with schools throughout Greece, we have found that the intensity of violence is so big that there are children who have reached the brink of suicide. The aim of this nationwide campaign is to enable the school community to manage the problem on its own, with shielding and knowledge. Understand the reasons why a child is abusive, support the child who is getting abused, encourage the observer to speak, and guide parents and teachers to deal with what is happening, offering solutions and stopping the horror of child bullying that leads our children to extreme situations. In this great effort, we want you all to be consciously with us.”

The Psychologist of the Organization, Mr. Stefanos Alevizos, stressed: "Children should know that no matter what they have done, no matter what their appearance is, no child has the right to curse at them, to hit them, to touch them in a secret way. If that's the case, then maybe our most important message to them is “Speak Now”. Right now they have all the tools in order to contact a specialist and find a solution to their problem by calling the Helpline SOS 1056, texting at the Chat 1056, or talking to their parents and teachers."

The Minister of Education and Religious Affairs, Ms. Niki Kerameos, stated: "I would like to warmly congratulate "The Smile of the Child" and "YouSmile" for today's event and especially for the excellent work they perform. The “Speak Now” Campaign and the initiatives launched, with the support of the European Antibullying Network, with the aim of informing students and preventing and dealing with this serious phenomenon, are very important. I wish every success in the work of the "Smile!"

The Deputy Minister of Education and Religious Affairs, Ms. Zetta Makri, stressed: "We are by the side of every child, every teenager who needs help and advice. We join forces with "The Smile of the Child", in the framework of the Cooperation Agreement signed with our Ministry to create the prospect of a better, more fair and safe world without delaying even for a minute our coordinated actions."

Representing the Hellenic Federation of Modern Pentathlon, the National Olympic Academy and the International Olympic Truce Center, Ms. Dora Palli stated: "Bullying is a major violation of the rights of the child in the school environment. That is why initiatives such as this one of the Organization "The Smile of the Child" that we are launching today are very important to be implemented. The “Smile" will have all the Greek athletes and Olympic supporters and participants in the Actions of the “Speak Now” Campaign".

The Event ended with the students, members of YouSmile, presenting the Proposals and Positions of the Children's Rights Group for the prevention and treatment of Bullying in schools. The children suggest:

• Experiential meetings of experts with teachers and parents
• Children’s group of mediation and awareness in every school
• Panhellenic student conferences against Bullying
• Presence of a specialized psychologist in every school
• Protection of students' anonymity during their visit to psychologists
• Online complaints platform
• Compulsory workshops in every school
• Certification of communication materials and their "mandatory" promotion
• Teacher education and training
• Specialized network of teachers for prevention and tackling issues of bullying

During the Event, the actions and creations of 17.400 students from 505 schools across the country were presented, as part of the school action "Speak Now", implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs for the 11th year by "The Smile of the Child" and "YouSmile".

More information about the "Mila Tora" Campaign: www.milatora.gr

At the following link you can download the Panhellenic Survey of Focus Bari:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1_0jkx37DgyqKUATynhQBSF3J6islLHbk/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=112610539347455790054&rtpof=true&sd=true

Watch the entire Event at the following link:

https://youtu.be/MYX2cFN_dPI

For more information please contact:

“The Smile of the Child”

Press Office

Tel. 11040

press@hamogelo.gr