Padua U to offer anti-bullying course

(ANSA) - Padua, November 22 - The University of Padua's Department of Developmental Psychology has created an online anti-bullying course designed specifically for the general public, teachers and families, to raise awareness and educate about bullying and cyber-bullying.
    "We start with the definition of bullying and cyber-bullying, talking about how to recognize it and the underlying psychological processes," said Professor Gianluca Gini, one of the course's creators, together with colleague Professor Tiziana Pozzoli.
    Gini said the course analyzes class and family dynamics and teaches individual and group bullying prevention and intervention strategies based on national and international scientific studies.
    He said the class was created as an online platform in order to be more available and wide-reaching throughout the country.
    Sign-ups are already open and the class will begin in January on a weekly basis for two months.
    Although he said bullying solutions have to be treated on a case-by-base basis, he advises victims of bullying to "not be scared or ashamed but to always talk and ask for help".
    He suggests parents and those in the environment where bullying is taking place "listen well, meaning understanding the difficulty beyond just the facts, without trivializing, minimizing or placing blame".