THE ANNUAL BULLYING SURVEY 2015: UK BULLYING STATISTICS 2015

THE ANNUAL BULLYING SURVEY 2015: UK BULLYING STATISTICS 2015

 

Ditch the Label has published its Annual Bullying Survey 2015, one of the UK’s most comprehensive reports into the bullying of young people. In partnership with 73 schools and colleges across the UK, our survey of over 4,800 young people highlights the current climate of bullying amongst 13-20 year olds. Our complementary report comes with free tips and advice for schools, colleges, parents and guardians, Government and young people on how you can help reduce the effect and prominence of bullying within your environment.

 

Findings

 

  • 50% of young people have bullied another person, 30% of which do it at least once a week.
  • 69% of young people have witnessed somebody else being bullied, 43% of which see it at least once a week.
  • 43% of young people have been bullied, 44% of which are bullied at least once a week.
  • Appearance is cited as the number 1 aggressor of bullying, with 51% saying they were bullied because of attitudes towards how they look.
  • 26% said their weight was targeted, 21% body shape, 18% clothing, 14% facial features, 9% glasses and 8% hair colour.
  • 23% a females with ginger hair cited their hair colour as the bullying aggressor.
  • Overall, 47% of young people want to change their appearance. 48% want teeth whitening, 17% breast implants, 6% liposuction and 5% botox.
  • 74% of those who have been bullied, have, at some point been physically attacked. 17% have been sexually assaulted. 62% have been cyber bullied.
  • As a result of bullying, 29% self harmed, 27% skipped class, 14% developed an eating disorder and 12% ran away from home.
  • Highest risk to bullying were the following groups: all types of disability, LGBT and low income backgrounds.
  • 40% of respondents reported being bullied for personal appearance 36% reported being bullied for body shape, size and weight.
  • Of those who were bullied, 98% were bullied by another student, 17% from a sibling, 13% from a teacher and 8% from their parents/guardians.
  • 55% reporting bullying. 92% to a teacher, 49% were satisfied. 86% to a family member, 82% were satisfied. 69% to a friend, 72% were satisfied.
  • 45% did not report bullying. 32% of which felt it would not be taken seriously, 32% were too embarrassed and 26% were scared of it getting worse.
  • Those who have bullied were more likely to be in trouble with the Police (36%) vs. witnesses to bullying (23%) and those who have been bullied (22%).

 

Source: Ditch The Label : http://www.ditchthelabel.org/annual-bullying-survey-2015

 

The Children’s Commissioner’s inquiry into child sexual abuse in the family environment is running a survey for adult survivors of child sexual abuse

The Children’s Commissioner’s inquiry into child sexual abuse in the family environment is running a survey for adult survivors of child sexual abuse to share their experiences, the aim being to understand better how to help children and prevent abuse in the future.
Source: Children’s Commissioner – survivor survey  21 May 2015

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) has updated Physical Signs of Child Sexual Abuse

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) has updated Physical Signs of Child Sexual Abuse, otherwise known as the Purple Book. The first update since 2008, it includes three new chapters: anogenital signs of accidental injuries in girls and boys; genital bleeding in pre-pubertal girls; and healing in anogenital injuries.
Source: RCPCH press release  20 May 2015

Source: CASPAR

Ministry of Justice figures show that the number of young people convicted for an offence for the first time is falling

Ministry of Justice figures show that the number of young people convicted for an offence for the first time is falling. A total of 21,016 under-18s were convicted for a first time offence throughout 2014. The figure was 23,537 for 2013. This represents a drop of 10.7%.
Source: Criminal justice system statistics quarterly: December 2014

Source: CASPAR

Barnardo’s Cymru in conjunction with the Welsh Government has launched a bilingual guide for young people about keeping themselves safe from child sexual exploitation.

Barnardo’s Cymru in conjunction with the Welsh Government has launched a bilingual guide for young people about keeping themselves safe from child sexual exploitation.
Source: Care appointments  19 May 2015
Further information:
Sexual exploitation: sex, secrets and lies: your guide (PDF)

new figures collated by the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC), since September 2014 3963 new cases of FGM

Children and Young People Now reports that according to new figures collated by the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC), since September 2014 3963 new cases of female genital mutilation have been indentified, but just 60 (or 1.51%) of these cases involved under-18s. This has prompted fears that families are adopting new tactics to avoid detection. The NSPCC has noted emerging anecdotal evidence that children are undergoing the procedure at a younger age, making it harder for them to speak up about it.
Source: Children & Young People Now 06 May 2015
Further information:
Female genital mutilation (FGM) – March 2015, experimental statistics (PDF)

Source: CASPAR

TACT has published their 2015 survey of children in care

TACT has published their 2015 survey of children in care. Findings include: of the 84 children interviewed, 84% felt that being in care was the right thing for them now, compared to 62% who thought going into care was the best option for them at the time.
Source: TACT  08 May 2015
Further information:
What young people think… and why it’s important to us (PDF)

Source: CASPAR

Will it soon be a criminal offence for social workers, teachers and others not to report suspicions of child abuse

Before the general election, David Cameron announced proposals to make it a criminal offence for social workers, teachers and others not to report suspicions of child abuse. In an article in the Guardian, experts give their views on the pros and cons of making child abuse reporting compulsory.
Source: Guardian 07 May 2015

Source: CASPAR