Bullying, which today is a major problem in Swedish schools, not only creates insecurity and mental illness, but also affects school results.
This is shown in this year’s Friends report, which is presented today.
– There is a child behind every number. A face, a dream, says Maja Frankel, general secretary at Friends.
Friends’ annual report is based on a Novus survey that was conducted in the spring. Just over 1,100 children aged 10 to 16 have participated.
The report shows, among other things, that 46 percent of all school children, i.e. close to every other student, have been exposed to violations or bullying at school or online in the last two months.
Makes it harder to pass school
The report also shows that the children who are exposed have more difficulty coping with the core subjects at school and the majority of them have stayed at home because they felt unsafe or alone.
– There is a child behind every number. A face, a dream, a family, dreams that crash, says Maja Frankel, general secretary at Friends.
New national action plan
Now Friends demands that the government act and draw up a national action plan against bullying. And Sweden can be inspired by how other countries have worked on the issue, says Maja Frankel.
– We see several countries around Europe that have taken action against bullying. The President of France is behind a large, comprehensive national investment. Our neighboring countries, Ireland. So anything can be done.