Bullying in schools: Number of victims in Austria is alarming!

Bullying in schools: Number of victims in Austria is alarming!

Österreich - bullying is a serious problem that occurs in many schools and at work worldwide. In Austria, Krone reports that around one fifth of the students indicate that they have already become victims of bullying. This violent behavior, which often repeats itself over a longer period of time and creates a power weight between perpetrators and victims, affects not only students, but also adults.

The term bullying describes a form of aggressive behavior that aims to harm others. Frequent triggers are feelings of power, boredom, revenge or own experiences from the past. Minorities such as LGBTQIA youth and pupils with a migration background that are increasingly exposed to the risk of being bullied are particularly vulnerable.

forms of bullying

bullying can occur in different forms that can be divided as follows:

• physical bullying: physical attacks and injuries.
• verbal bullying: insults, threats and hurtful comments.
• indirect bullying: the scattering of rumors, social exclusion and ignoring.
• sexist bullying: nuisance based on gender.
• cyberbullying: aggressive behavior on the Internet.

The data show that boys and girls are affected differently. According to the 2022 PISA study, 20 % of girls and 23 % of the boys stated that they are regularly victims of bullying. A UNICEF analysis from the period 2018-2022 shows that over 21 % of 15-year-olds experience frequent bullying at school, with the frequency increasing in recent years.

psychological effects and social perspective

The effects of bullying are serious. Untreated bullying can lead to serious psychological problems such as fears, depression and even suicidal thoughts. The perpetrators are often not without consequences, since they can experience aggressive behavior and social rejection. These psychological stress does not only apply to students; A DAK survey from 2024 shows that 24 % of the school children surveyed are affected by bullying at least once a month.

In Germany, the numbers are similarly alarming. According to statistics, around 7 % of 15-year-old students are exposed to bullying, and 12 % of the students are bullied by fellow students at least once. According to a study from 2024, 4.4 % of the workers of bullying reported by colleagues in the past six months, while over a quarter of the students have given suicide thoughts as a result of cyberbullying Statista.

need for measures

The mental health of adolescents is at risk, which is why effective action against bullying is urgently necessary. An analysis of the rki shows that around 14 % of the students have had around 7 % affected by cyberbobbing are. While school bullying has decreased over time, the numbers for cyberbullying show a worrying increase. To counteract this, the implementation of anti-bullying measures in schools is essential.

Society is required to raise awareness of the negative effects of bullying through prevention offers and education. This is the only way to guarantee respectful and safe cooperation in schools and at work.