Bullying in schools is widespread, and it has consequences that can last through childhood and into adulthood. Research has found that children who are frequently bullied are more likely to self-harm, and being bullied in childhood has been linked with a higher risk of depression as an adult.
Bullying is preventable, but schools need more help in tackling it. While schools in England and Wales are required to have an anti-bullying policy, rates remain high. A 2023 report from charity the Anti-Bullying Alliance found that nearly a quarter of the over 65,000 children surveyed said they had been frequently bullied in the previous few weeks.
