What is Coco’s law? ISPCC is offering a FREE webinar all about the law around the sharing of intimate images

Coco’s Law was born out of a tragedy and while many people may have heard about the death of Nicole ‘Coco’ Fox, few really understand the law enacted in her name. ISPCC can help. Fiona Jennings, Head of Policy and Public Policy at ISPCC, is leading a webinar explaining all about Coco’s Law on April 30th. It is free to all.

Coco died aged just 21 after relentless online bullying. Her mother Jackie campaigned tirelessly to change the law on the sharing of intimate images, and she succeeded in December 2020 when Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill, known as Coco’s Law, was signed into law.

The online world is constantly evolving and pressure on young people is ever present. The revelation that nearly one in six young teenagers were cyberbullied in 2022, according to the new World Health Organisation Europe report, an increase from 13% just four years ago, comes as little surprise to those at ISPCC who work with children and young people and see the very real impact of cyber-bullying on them.

The ISPCC webinar on Coco’s Law is an information session for parents and professionals and it will focus on the following:
• Awareness of Coco’s Law
• Recognition of the issues that it covers
• Guidance on how to avail of its provisions

Webinar details are: 
April 30, 2024, from 7pm to 7.30pm
To register for the event, please follow this link: https://bit.ly/4aOKNKb

How ISPCC can help children make the leap from ‘big’ school to secondary school

SMART MOVES

Why schools need ISPCC’s Smart Moves programme

Big life changes can be exciting but they’re also daunting and the move from primary school to secondary school can be a tough one. ISPCC can help. Its Smart Moves programme is designed to facilitate this life transition, and it has received rave reviews from users.

Smart Moves is a free, resilience- and evidence-based programme for fifth- and sixth-class pupils. There is also a secondary school programme available, which supports young people as they begin their journey in secondary school.

The primary programme is teacher-led and includes 15 short lessons covering topics from friendship to problem-solving to sleep difficulties. The secondary programme provides a total of 24 lessons, each lasting approximately 30 minutes.

According to one educational professional, “it stimulated good conversations”, while another said that the programme was very easy to use and thought-provoking, adding that “it encouraged pupils to think about potential worries, problems and routes of support”.

“There are many areas covered in the programme that both students and teachers had never considered before as part of the transition that are really important,” said a teacher, who added that “the length of programme is also a hit, we have found in the past that a little work in sixth class at the end of the year is not enough.”

For the students themselves, completing the Smart Moves programme was an overwhelmingly positive experience and they would recommend that other schools get involved in it. One sixth-class pupil said, “it made me feel more prepared by talking about my feelings and other people’s feelings”.

Niamh Clarke of ISPCC says that: “Smart Moves is based on the resilience framework and looks to build lifelong coping skills for young people. Having resilience does not mean you will not face challenges. However, it gives ability to endure these challenges and bounce back.”

The programme’s resources will be sent directly to each school at the start of the 2024/25 academic year: they include a manual for the teacher as well as a private booklet for each student in which they can explore their thoughts and feelings during each module.

ISPCC has also launched an Irish-language version of the programme for primary schools.

For more information on the supports ISPCC offers to children and young people, please go to https://www.ispcc.ie/smart-moves/




Kicking off a winning collaboration between Childline, DDSL and the beautiful game

How Childline and DDSL are teaming up to help ensure there’s always someone to listen when a child needs to talk

Childline by ISPCC and the Dublin District Soccer League (DDSL) are two organisations, united by a common cause – our wish to support children and young people. Childline and DDSL are delighted to announce our three-year partnership, the aim of which is to ensure that children and young people know they can always reach out, no matter what is on their mind.

Childline is home to Ireland’s only 24/7 listening services for children and young people. Childline staff and volunteers ensure that there is always someone to listen when a child or young person needs to talk. 

ISPCC needs to raise up to 75% of its funding each year from donations and the charity appreciates all support which helps ensure its services and supports are available to children and young people all day, every day.  

Childline is very grateful to Dublin and District Schoolboys’/girls’ Soccer League for donating 50c of each child’s annual registration fee to the organisation and is looking forward to our three-year partnership and commitment to supporting the well-being of children, parents and clubs within DDSL. 

DDSL, the leading youth football development league, is an organisation responsible for organising and overseeing competitive football matches for school children in the greater Dublin area. 

John Church, CEO of ISPCC, says: “DDSL plays a key role in the grassroots soccer community, Childline is here for every child and young person, and together we can make a real difference to the lives of the young members of our society. We can ensure that the over 35,000 children who are registered with the DDSL feel supported, listen to and informed.”

 

“We at the DDSL are delighted to partner with Childline and support the tremendous work they do in the support to children and parents when they need it most,” says Niall O’Driscoll, Director Dublin & District Schoolboys/girls League. 

 

“We will be launching dedicated training/educational supports for clubs, volunteers and parents using ISPCC’s Shield anti-bullying programme together with Childline’s 24/7 listening service, which is always available for any child needing help or just to talk.

 

“The player/child-centred approach of both organisations will be used to increase awareness and help adults understand the many issues and challenges our kids face in the current society.”

 

As part of its collaboration with DDSL, Childline has committed to providing: 

• workshops to DDSL and their clubs to ensure that every coach, parent and child has access to the supports they need

• access to Childline’s Anti-Bullying programme Shield for all 132 clubs

• supports for parents, coaches and children published on the DDSL website, socials and emails to the children’s guardians and coaches

Childline will be fundraising at the DDSL’s premier event this year – the Cup Final on May 19, 24, 25 and 26. Those attending will be able to donate to Childline.  All donations are very gratefully received.