Thursday, December 2, 2010

Bullying Hotline

In an effort to end cyber-bullying on Long Island, Verizon and Senator Kemp Hannon are partnering with Children Abuse Prevention Services (CAPS), Long Island's leading non-profit dedicated to the prevention of bullying, child abuse and the promotion of Internet safety.

Verizon Director of Government and External Affairs Patrick A. Lespinasse recently visited CAPS to present Executive Director Alane Fagin with funding to assist the organization’s Internet safety initiatives, including the new Bullying Prevention Center. “As a leader in building technologies that deliver Long Islanders a rich array of new digital experiences, Verizon feels a strong responsibility to help ensure a safer Internet,” Lespinasse said. “Our partnership with CAPS has resulted in increased awareness and education for parents and children around staying safe and behaving responsibly online.”
The Center works to combat bullying, cyber-bullying and harassment through educational empowerment, dynamic prevention programs and innovative intervention solutions and services. “When parents discover their child is involved in a bullying situation, many may feel at a loss as to how to protect them, or assume the problem will go away on its own,” said Fagin. “But without appropriate intervention, bullying can interfere with a child’s ability to learn and can cause serious social and emotional problems,” Fagin continued.
Until the CAPS Bully Prevention Center opened this fall, Long Island parents had no single source to turn to for help. Now parents have access to a free “Bully Helpline” by calling 516-621-0552 x109 or e-mailing bullyhelpline@capsli.org to speak with an expert. CAP’s service is unique in that it is the first to offer direct support and resources toward resolving bullying and cyber-bullying situations among school-age kids, and creating safer learning environments in Long Island elementary, middle and high schools.

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