School Violence: A Global Issue

Bullying

• Bullying is a type of violence inflicted by peers, characterized by severe and repeated verbal or physical acts aimed at inducing physical, emotional, and psychological harm on schoolmates or peers.
• Bullying has two key components: repeated harmful acts and an imbalance of power.

Forms of Bullying

• Assaults
• Tripping
• Intimidation
• Rumor-spreading and isolation
• Demands for money
• Destruction of property
• Theft of valued possessions
• Destruction of another's work
• Name-calling

What is Not Bullying

• Taunting, teasing, and fighting among schoolchildren with equal strength (physical or psychological) is not bullying.
• Bullying involves repeated acts by someone perceived as physically or psychologically more powerful.

Psychological Explanation for Bullying

• Bullying is an "acting up" behavior, where the young person performs it to draw people's attention to themselves.
• Bullying is also a result of peer pressure, where young people want to be accepted by their peer groups.
• Bullies often have a low self-esteem and dispel this feeling when they bully and see others looking less happy or confident.
• Bullies may themselves be bullied, and children from violent families may grow up with violent tendencies.

Consequences of Bullying

• Bullying can be an impediment to students' free exercise of their right to education, and can interrupt the normal operations of a school.
• School violence is a serious problem in many countries, and has resulted in deaths of many school children and young people.

Prevalence of Violence in Schools

• A study by PLAN Philippines in 2009 found that at least 5 out of 10 children in grades 1 to 3, 7 out of 10 in grades 4 to 6, and 6 out of 10 in high school have experienced some kind of violence in school.
• Verbal abuse is the most prevalent form of violence experienced by children across all school levels.
• Children's peers, rather than adults, are the perpetrators of violence in schools.
• Male children are more likely to experience physical violence than female children.

Explore the prevalence and impact of school violence in countries around the world. Learn about the factors contributing to school violence and the measures taken to address this serious problem. Dive into discussions on how to promote a safe and secure school environment for students.