Bullying cases triple in many Scottish council areas as charities fear devastating impact on victims

Scotland’s schools have suffered a massive increase in serious bullying, with reported incidents more than tripling in many areas.

Thirteen of the 15 local ­authorities that provided responses to the Sunday Post showed increases between 2018 and 2023.

Three had more than doubled, two had more than tripled and one, Edinburgh City Council, had seen a rise of 498% with 1,534 recorded incidents in 2022-23.

East Dunbartonshire, North Lanarkshire, Angus, Midlothian, East Ayrshire, Perth & Kinross, Falkirk, North Ayrshire, Scottish Borders, Stirling, Western Isles and Dundee all saw increases.

Of those who responded, only Dumfries & Galloway and Argyll & Bute saw a decrease.

Devastating impact of bullying

Joanne Smith, of NSPCC Scotland, said: “Bullying can have a devastating impact on young people, both physically and mentally. In some cases it can cause serious mental health issues. It is important that children and young people feel safe and supported. Schools and local authorities should make this a priority and ensure resources are in place to support young people in the event they are bullied.

“We would encourage any child or young person affected by bullying to talk to an adult they trust. This could be a parent, teacher or a Childline counsellor on 0800 1111 or online at childline.org.uk.”

Kidscape, a charity that offers help and advice to those being bullied, said bullying can have devastating effects on children, such as anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions that can affect them into adult life. It said: “Children have a legal right to be protected from all forms of bullying, harassment and harm. It is really important anyone who works with children and young people understand the signs of bullying and are equipped to respond appropriately.

“Bullying is complex and requires a multi-faceted response that includes the child being bullied, the child or children participating in bullying behaviours and bystanders.”

Research has found that bullying is a frequent experience for many children and young people. The Anti-Bullying Alliance ­ identified in its national survey that, of 30,000 pupils in 2022, 72% had been bullied; 24% reported being bullied online.

In 2020, Time For Inclusive Education (TIE) surveyed 1,015 Scottish youngsters aged 12 to 24 and found they had seen or experienced an increase in online bullying and prejudice during the lockdowns.

Liam Kerr MSP, Scottish Conservative shadow cabinet secretary for education and skills, said: “Any instances of bullying need to be tackled at the root and involve staff and parents as well as students.”

Edinburgh City Council said: “We moved to a new recording system in 2019 and have worked hard to improve awareness of and responding to bullying.”

Four girls made me feel awful

One child aged 12, who wished to remain anonymous, said she had faced bullying in the past year that left her feeling scared and unhappy.

She said: “My school year started fine, but eventually a group of girls who were in the year above me started just annoying me. It was little things at first, like calling me names, and from there it got worse. Every time I saw them I walked the other way, but somehow they always found me.

“There were four of them, and somehow they always seemed to find me in between classes where they would try to ask me for money or say mean things about my friends and my family and just made me feel awful. I was sometimes late to my classes because they used to look for me to try and stop me.

“I hated going into school, and I was scared to say something, but one of the teachers noticed and I ended up telling her. They got a warning and thankfully have stopped since, but I am still nervous when I see them in the hall, but they just ignore me now.

“It really affected me and has made me feel very nervous, although the school has promised to make sure nothing happens. I’m still worried, but I’m glad that they aren’t bothering me any more and I can try to get on and enjoy the rest of school.”