Image source, Girlguiding Scotland

From the Girlguiding Scotland website, external:

"Girlguiding Scotland has more than 60,000 members across Scotland with a mission to inspire and empower girls to be the best they can be.

"We know all girls are amazing and can do anything they set their mind to.

"Girlguiding Scotland encourages them to try new challenges and adventures, be it camping abroad, canoeing or partying at Girlguiding Scotland’s pop concert, Tartan Gig, external.

"Each new experience helps girls find out how much they’re capable of, learn skills that will give them a head start in life and make a positive difference to those around them. Most importantly they have loads of fun and build brilliant friendships along the way!"

Read more here., external

Ms McKelvie asks for a bit of information on the Girlguiding campaign and what the committee should be looking at.

Girlguiding Scotland youth advocate Hannah Brisbane says one of the main issues that came back from 2015 research was the level of sexual harassment in schools.

Ms Brisbane says that Girlguiding Scotland led a campaign on this because it is unacceptable.

Committee convener Christina McKelvie introduces the witnesses.

Ms McKelvie says the conversation should be as open and robust as it possibly can and she gives guidance on sensitive evidence.

The Equalities and Human Rights Committee will now hold the first round table discussion on bullying and harassment of children and young people in schools.

• Girlguiding Scotland youth advocate Hannah Brisbane
• Girlguiding Scotland youth advocate Susie McGuiness
• Kirkcaldy High School rector Derek Allan
• Kirkcaldy High School student Cameron Bowie
• Kirkcaldy High School former student Shauni Boyd

Image source, bbc

• Niamh McGeechan from the STAMP Project at Lanarkshire Rape Crisis
• Hannah Houston from the STAMP Project at Lanarkshire Rape Crisis
• Scottish Youth Parliament chair and MYSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith Terri Smith MSYP
• Scouting Scotland SHQ commissioner Anne Whiteford

In November we reported that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) pupils are still experiencing high rates of bullying in schools, according to campaigners.

LGBT Youth Scotland, external said the pupils were also not confident about reporting abuse to staff.

The charity called for strong leadership from schools and local authorities on the bullying.

The Scottish government said a new anti-bullying strategy had been developed with LGBT organisations.

Image source, AFP

Homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying at school can have a devastating impact on young people's mental health and cause them to leave education early, according to the charity's research.

LGBT Youth Scotland said its study went on to show transgender youngsters have a particularly difficult time at school and face even higher levels of bullying than their LGB peers.

The organisation has teamed up with the Time for Inclusive Education, external campaign to highlight the issue and demand further action.

Read more here.

Image source, Mikey's Line

A charity in Scotland is using crowdfunding to create a programme to teach school pupils how to spot bullying and loneliness.

Research for BBC School Report has found that half of teenagers with mental health issues try to cope alone.

Mikey's Line was launched by the family of Michael Williamson, who killed himself in 2015 aged 23.

They want to help teenagers so they don't carry mental health issues into adult life.

The charity, based in Inverness, created the Mikey's Mates training programme to be rolled out in schools across the Highlands.

Mikey's cousin and charity trustee Jenna Donald told Newsbeat: "We have raised enough money to start with six schools.

"So we will train a female and male pupil to spot the signs of people being bullied or facing social isolation from their peers."

Image source, Mikey's Line

Read more here.

In March the BBC reported on the father of a teenage girl who tried to take her own life after being bullied online, who said she "just wanted to be loved and she wanted to be accepted".

Adrian Derbyshire, who shared photos of his dying daughter Julia in hospital to raise awareness, said abuse began after she spoke about her sexuality.

Instead of celebrating her 18th birthday last week, "I ended up putting roses on her grave", he said.

He said there should be more education in school about online bullying.

Image source, Thinkstock

After a lot of concerns were expressed around the issue of prejudice-based bullying and sexual/gender harassment of children and young people in schools, the Equalities and Human Rights Committee agreed to examine these issues took oral evidence from key stakeholders on 10 November 2016 and 26 January 2017.

Following this the committtee decided to take evidence directly from young people, and their advocates, on the issues of prejudice-based bullying.

Being mindful of the need to treat with sensitivity some of the evidence received, the committee has decided to use a mixture of formal oral evidence taking sessions, as well as informal face-to-face meetings and fact finding visits.

Image source, Thinkstock

The Equalities and Human Rights Committee will shortly hold two round-table discussions on bullying and harassment of children and young people in schools.

Good morning and welcome to Holyrood Live's coverage of the Scottish Parliament on 15 June 2017.

The Equalities and Communities Committee will take evidence from a raft of witnesses on bullying and harassment of children and young people in schools

After general questions, we’ll bring you extensive coverage of first minister’s questions.

This will be the first political skirmishes between the first minister and the party leaders since the general election.

Image source, PA/Scottish Parliament

SNP MSP Christine Grahame will then lead a member’s debate pithily entitled ‘Stink Pits Stink’.

MSPs will then quiz the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body.

Education Secretary John Swinney will then give a ministerial statement on education governance.

The third and final Scottish government debate of the week marks the 70th anniversary of the Edinburgh International Festivals.