Survey says campaign failed to reduce bullying

One in six Irish children are bullied at school, says a study published today by a leading child psychiatrist.

Dr Maria Lawlor said a survey of 3,000 secondary school pupils had found that 15% complained of being bullied during the current term.

She also reported signs that the level of bullying had remained unchanged, despite the start of campaign to wipe it out nearly 10 years ago.

Dr Lawlor, a consultant with Ireland’s North-Eastern Health Board, outlined the survey’s findings at the launch of an anti-bullying programme aimed at informing education authority teachers.

She said: “A national survey was carried out in the mid-1990s and we have found similar levels of bullying now.

“I don’t think enough has been done in terms of teacher training and most teachers would say they find it very difficult to manage.”

She called for every school to have a policy on bullying.

“All members of the staff, as well as teachers and pupils have to be a part of that.

“It involves a consensual definition of what is bullying by all people in the school community – and that it is unacceptable.

“Once you have got that you can move on.”

Dr Lawlor said that generally speaking children were a little more prepared to speak out about bullying than they had been in the past.

“But we find there is a culture of secrecy around – a culture in schools that you do not tell. A lot of it happens below the teachers’ radar, and they are not aware of it happening.

“That culture needs to be challenged and changed. It is only then that young people will come forward.”

She said another finding had indicated that 25% of referrals to child psychiatric services had experienced problems from bullying.

“It was a contributory factor in their difficulties,” she said.

“Most of them said it made them very angry and one in five said it made them feel suicidal.”

It was also discovered that girls tended to inflict psychological bullying while, with boys, it was more likely to be physical.