A website targeting bullying in Scotland's schools has been launched in an attempt to help pupils, parents and teachers deal with the problem.

The Anti-Bullying Network, said the site, which has been been hailed as the first of its kind in Scotland, should provide a valuable resource.

The website includes information on a range of issues including racist bullying, with insights into other issues such as homophobic bullying and the legal responsibilities of schools due to be added.

Network manager, Andrew Mellor, said the Scottish Executive-funded project aimed to pull together the most useful advice for bullying victims and suggested strategies for parents and teachers confronted by the problem.

Fufills 'specific needs'

He said: "There are a number of excellent existing sites about bullying but we believe this is the first in Scotland which sets out to fulfil the specific needs of parents, young people, teachers, students and other members of the school community."

However, he added: "Bullying can only be solved through open discussion of the problem. All of the new techniques described on the site aim to encourage people to talk and to listen to other people's concerns."

Network director, Pamela Munn, said the site would be linked to the Scottish Virtual Teachers' Centre website and others worldwide.

She said: "We want to provide a one-stop solution for anyone wanting information about school bullying.

'Objective comment'

"We will be providing objective comment and information and we will be helping people to find their way to other anti-bullying sites on the net such as the ones provided by ChildLine and the Scottish Council for Research in Education."

The Scottish Executive established the network, which is part of the Positive School Ethos Programme based at the Faculty of Education at Edinburgh University, to provide a forum for all of those affected by bullying.

It has a telephone infoline, organises conferences, provides support and information and is currently developing a database of anti-bullying initiatives.

Anti-Bullying Network infoline: 0131 651 6100.