Ospreys join fight against abusive language

Stonewall Cymru is calling on people in Wales to tackle abusive language this Anti-Bullying Week by supporting the 'No Bystanders' campaign.

As well as the Ospreys, the campaign has also gained the backing of regional rivals Scarlets as well as national football team manager Chris Coleman, who signed the pledge before Wales faced off with Belgium on Sunday.

Shocking figures reveal that more than 75,000 young people will be bullied this year simply for being gay and 21,000 of these will attempt suicide.

Homophobic bullying and abuse can have a devastating impact on young people's self-esteem, with one in three who experience homophobic bullying changing their plans for future education because of it.

Andrew White, Stonewall Cymru director, said: "It is heart-breaking that so many young people are being targeted by bullying language and in some cases attempting suicide.

"Everyone has a part to play in stopping bullying. It's time we all speak up and stop being bystanders to harmful language.

"We hope that signing the pledge will prompt individuals and organisations to do more to tackle abuse - whether on our sports fields, in the playground, in our workplaces or on our streets."

Hore added: "Ospreys Rugby are proud to support Anti-Bullying Week and, in particular, the #NoBystanders campaign.

"There is simply no place for bullying, anywhere in society, and we encourage our supporters to also make a stand and help to eradicate bullying in all its forms."

You can also get involved with the #NoBystanders campaign by visiting nobystanders.org.uk and signing the pledge.

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