The province is making it easier for students who are being bullied to get help sooner with a unique online reporting system for bullying and cyberbullying.

Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Ramona Jennex announced the system at the Speak Up! Anti-bullying Conference in Halifax today, Aug. 16.

"We know that some young people don't report bullying because they worry that it will make the situation worse," said Ms. Jennex. "This new option will make it easier for students involved in, or who are witnessing, bullying behaviour in schools to report it. And they can do so anonymously."

The online system, one of only two being used in Canada, was developed specifically to meet the needs of the province's education system.

Someone who is being bullied, or who witnesses bullying, can fill out an online form and the information will be automatically sent to the school principal. The form will be on school board websites and at www.antibullying.novascotia.ca.

"This online site for reporting bullying will be a great tool for children to report bullying safely and anonymously," said Erin Donovan, a parent from Mahone Bay. "School principals can use the information to create safer school environments, and socially responsible kids can report bullying without fearing the consequences of their actions."

"Often principals and other administrators hear about bullying behaviour after the situation has escalated, sometimes through rumours or media reports," said Mary Jess MacDonald, chair of the Strait Regional School Board. "We look forward to a tool that will encourage reporting and give principals the information to address bullying behaviour."

The system will be place next month.