TODAY The Evening Star renews its vow to stand firm against bullying in our schools. Too many of our children live in fear of the bully and we are pledging to do our bit to help our youngsters break the cycle of terror and intimidation.

TODAY The Evening Star renews its vow to stand firm against bullying in our schools.

Too many of our children live in fear of the bully and we are pledging to do our bit to help our youngsters break the cycle of terror and intimidation.

In recent weeks too many hideous examples of how bullying can wreck lives have hit the headlines and

England's Children's Commissioner said this week the problem has reached epidemic proportions.

Professor Al Aynsley-Green said: “The one thing every child I have met has been affected by, with virtually no exceptions, is bullying.”

Vanessa Cooper, coordinator of the Anti-Bullying Alliance, said: “We know that many schools are doing their best to address the scourge of bullying. But as recent incidents of violence show, this is still not good enough.”

“More needs to be done, especially to support and protect older children. Our message is clear. Bullying is unacceptable, and all schools must take action to tackle it.”

We will support parents who do not know where to turn.

We will help schools who need their anti-bullying campaigns highlighted.

We will talk to pupils who may be able to help others.

We will speak to families at their wit's end.

We will meet education bosses who want to get their message across.

We will be relentless in our bid to wipe out bullying in our town's schools.

A delicate and emotive subject, bullying is currently high on the agenda. Next week is anti-bullying week with the theme of involving children and young people in tackling bullying.

Promising to employ our most sensitive reporting methods, our team of reporters and photographers are ready and able to do their bit to stop the bully making lives a misery.

Too many children are terrorised by school, too many children are terrorised by break time, too many children are terrorised on their way home, too many children are desperate and too many childhoods are being ruined.

The Ipswich-based Anti-Bullying Consultancy is today backing our campaign.

Steve Wooldridge, former deputy head at Chantry High School and anti-bullying expert, said: “Bullying ruins lives, damages children and causes pain and distress. Teasing, name calling, physical violence, malicious text messages, e-mails, taking money, homophobia, exclusion, sarcasm-bullying takes so many forms.”

Mr Wooldridge has visited many Ipswich schools offering support and guidance to stop bullying.

He said: “There is already lots of good work going on in Ipswich schools. Pupil, parents and schools need to work together.

“Bullies need to understand what effects their actions have, only if they feel empathy with their victims will they stop.”

TODAY we are asking our readers how we can we help you.

Has your family been affected by bullying? Does your school have a problem with bullies or a successful scheme to stamp it out?

Is your child a victim of a bully? Do you know where to turn? Can you give advice to others?

Call The Evening Star newsdesk on 01473 324788, write to us at Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to starnews@eveningstar.co.uk