The Friends organization points out in a new report how common it is for students to be subjected to various types of abuse. 40 percent have been verbally abused at school at some point in the past year and 34 percent have been ostracized or affected by the spread of rumors. The percentage of bullies is 14 percent.
The figures are based on a Novus survey of just over 1,000 students in grades 4–9.
The Friends report describes what students themselves are asking for in order to create a safer school climate. The most common answer is “more teachers” – that is, more adults who create trust and security during the school day. “The bully should get help, not just punishment” is another answer.
According to Friends, a school climate with clear rules combined with warmth and consideration is what works best. At the same time, Friends criticizes the government's policies.
"Preventive and long-term work is completely lacking," writes Friends' Secretary General Maja Frankel in the foreword and continues: "I am deeply concerned about the child-centered view that shines through in the government parties' school policy proposals. It involves disciplinary measures such as expulsion from the classroom and detention, reduced student influence and a focus on punishment. The proposals not only risk failing - but increasing school violence and bullying."
