A MARTIAL arts school is hoping to crack down on bullying by empowering young people with a free self-defence class. 

Swindon’s Gracie Barra – Brazilian Jiu Jitsu wants to ‘bully-proof children for life’ as it remains a big problem for children. 

The martial arts school’s operations manager Paul Sheeran has grown concerned at how prevalent bullying still is in society, and believes self-defence classes are the answer, by helping children grow in confidence. 

“I came up with this idea of an 'anti-bullying campaign' because of the constant reminder on the news and social media that bullying is still very much an issue and also I have just become a father to a baby boy myself.

“Certain individuals of today’s times are stopping our younger generations from getting out of the house, making friends and learning new skills. 

“Whether its cyberbullying, bullying at school or workplace bullying, you need to speak out and be able to stand up for yourself. 

“I grew up playing with my friends until the street lights came on or our mums called us in as dinner was ready, we did not have social media so if groups or gangs of kids were out to bully people you had to know how to defend yourself.

“Was my childhood more enjoyable than the kids walking around our streets today? I would say yes, most definitely. Why? Because I was part of something – martial arts and I was confident in self-defence.”

Paul, 37, believes the statistics around bullying are shocking, and feels this is his way of being able to do something to address it. 

Figures posted on the Perpetual Fostering website show one in every four young people in the UK have been victims of bullying in the past 12 months, with 77 per cent of those being bullied explaining that it negatively impacted their mental health. 

A third of those that were bullied explained that they had suicidal thoughts following the victimisation, highlighting the seriousness of the topic.

“With just a quick look on any internet search site we see the devastating statistics of bullying in and out of schools and the workplace," Paul added.

“We regularly see and hear about very real situations young people can find themselves in, feeling helpless with no idea what to do."

The free anti-bullying seminar on Saturday, December 11, will be taught by Professor Pat Reeves with assistance from the Gracie Barra centre at 15A Havelock Square in the town centre. 

There will be refreshments on offer and a lounge area for parents and guardians to sit, watch and maybe even participate in some technique drills themselves.