Bullying in schools at high levels
More than one in three Kiwi kids suffer bullying at school, as New Zealand continues to have one of the highest school bullying rates in the Western world.
The latest statistic was revealed in a Unicef report, which found 35 per cent of New Zealand children aged 13-15 complained of being bullied every month.
The report, which surveyed children from around the globe, found only students from Singapore, Hong Kong, and South Africa reported more instances of bullying – South Africa topped the list with 47 per cent students bullied every month.
Mental Health Foundation chief executive Shaun Robinson was saddened by the results, ‘‘but unsurprised’’.
‘‘We have known for some time that New Zealand has one of the highest school bullying rates in the Western world,’’ he said. ‘‘Bullying is not a normal part of childhood and can have long-term effects on the mental health and wellbeing of those who are bullied and those who bully.’’
In the latest survey Unicef asked students if they were affected by a range of bullying from name-calling and hitting, to stealing and manipulation – including incidents online.
The report stated: ‘‘As children grow, they spend more time outside their homes and in online spaces [and] this widening of the social world, while beneficial in many respects, also creates situations in which children may be exposed to new forms of violence. Bullying is one example, experienced on a regular basis by close to 130 million students aged
13 to 15 worldwide.’’
The problem is not only confined to teenagers, in June a dad became so fed up that his 9-yearold daughter was repeatedly assaulted by classmates that he erected a large sign outside Christchurch’s Waimairi School in protest.
The man, who could not be named without identifying his daughter, was dissatisfied with Waimairi School’s response after his daughter was repeatedly kicked, punched, bitten and choked by other students over 18 months.
The statistics contribute to a ’’toxic mix’’ of very high rates of family violence, child abuse and child poverty.
‘‘Studies have shown that experiencing bullying can put people at risk of suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts and deaths by suicide,’’ Robinson said.
‘‘This is because being bullied can lead to social isolation, anxiety and depression, which are all riskfactors for suicide. However, it must be stressed that the vast majority of people who are bullied do not kill themselves and do go on to live happy, healthy lives.’’
In June the Innocenti Report found New Zealand’s rate for teen suicides (15-19) was the highest of the 41 OECD and EU countries included. We also came in 38th out of 41 countries when it came to overall health and wellbeing of our young people. Children’s Commissioner Judge Andrew Becroft welcomed the new report ‘‘which puts the spotlight on this important issue’’.
All children deserve to grow up in a safe and secure environment, and any violence against children is unacceptable, he said.
‘‘We now know much more about the impact that early trauma can have on children’s lives, and the importance of helping them to develop resilience.’’
Becroft believes everyone has a part to play in a solution.
‘‘We think of New Zealand as a great place to grow up, but everyone has a part to play to make that a reality – we need stronger families, stronger schools and stronger communities.
‘‘The report talks about many different forms of violence – we know that domestic violence, bullying, abuse and youth suicide are significant issues in New Zealand and we need to reduce the rates,’’ Becroft said.
Incoming Minister for Children, NZ First’s Tracey Martin, said her office would work closely with that of the minister of education, in the first instance, to support their work in bullying in schools.
‘‘I recognise that we must have proactive approaches, across all of government, that reach out and support not only the young people affected but educate the meaningful adults in their lives around recognition and intervention.’’