A WOMAN has set up a Facebook page to combat bullying in her community after witnessing children being harassed in a skate park.

Theresa Youngman, 51, from Peacehaven, started Peacehaven Community Anti Bullying Forum last Friday.

It is for victims of bullying to share and report their stories online.

Since the page went live, Mrs Youngman has already gained more than 300 followers all eager to stamp out bullying.

She said: “I am very pleased with the amount of support I have received from the community.

“Our followers are not just victims of bullying, but they are businesses, schools and community organisations who want to help someone in confidence.

“Before I started the page, I witnessed lots of bullying in the last few months in public places like the skate park in Peacehaven.

“I not only saw physical bullying, but there was also psychological and emotional bullying.

“Some people are so cruel and I really want to do something to help victims and to eradicate bullying.

“So I turned to Facebook and realised there isn’t a space for victims to report or share their stories.

“Some kids are so frightened they don’t dare to go back to the park.

“Sometimes they have nowhere to turn to and they don’t know what to do.”

Mrs Youngman volunteered as a youth leader teaching young offenders who had just been released from a correction facility.

The Facebook page also has a list of anti-bullying helplines.

She said: “From my experiences bullying has a long and sometimes lasting impact on victims. The recovery process is long.

“Some of them develop post traumatic stress disorder.

“This forum is also for adults.

“Bullying doesn’t just happen in school, but they also happen in workplaces.

“The page has gained so much momentum since it started. I’ve had pupils from Peacehaven Community School, other schools and even adults opening up about their experiences.

“I’ve also had people from other places like Brighton and Eastbourne coming forward.

“Twenty six small businesses have signed up to support the initiative.

“They have signed up to be safe havens for children.

“If someone has been bullied, they can come into one of these safe havens for protection.

“The adult present will contact the parents to come and collect the child.

“No child should ever feel frightened.”

To visit the page go to facebook.com/groups/212983299504661.

The following is a victim’s statement. The child has asked to remain anonymous. 

“I walked to the park with a heavy heart. I’m alone, as usual. The cool kids are already sitting together. They call me Birdie because my nose is pointed.

"It hurts but I just pretend it’s funny and laugh it off like always. One of the gang leaders sneers at me: 'You heard him Birdie, why are you sitting here? Nobody likes you – go away.'