Observation of Bullying in Schools by Learners

• NCJ Number: 217329
• Journal: Acta Criminologica Volume: 17 Issue: 1 Dated: 2004 Pages: 139-153
• Author(s): J. Neser; M. Ovens; E. van der Merwe; R. Morodi; A. Ladikos; J. Prinsloo
• Date Published: 2004
• Length: 15 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: South Africa
• Note: To access the full text PDF: 1) select the provided PDF link; 2) from the Acta Criminologica Web site, select "Table of Contents" 3) select the corresponding Volume and Issue (see the NCJRS abstract record for the exact Volume and Issue); 4) scroll the Table of Contents to the exact article; and 5) click on the "full text" icon. Downloaded February 12, 2007

Annotation

This article reports on a South African survey that measured students' feelings of safety at their schools and their views of the frequency, nature, and location of bullying, as well as the characteristics of bullies.

Abstract

The survey found that 54.4 percent of the students always felt safe at school; however, 10 percent of the respondents "hardly ever" (2.9 percent) and "never" (7.3 percent) felt safe at school; 19 percent reported that they "sometimes" felt unsafe at school. Approximately 15 percent of the boys indicated that they "hardly ever" or "never" felt safe at school, compared to 7.4 percent of the girls. Out of the total sample of respondents, 59.4 percent of those under 15 years old said that they always felt safe at school, compared with 48.8 percent of students over 15 years old. Only 41 percent of White students felt safe at school, compared with 65.7 percent of "colored" students, 59.8 percent of Black students, and 59.1 percent of Indian students. Nearly 42 percent of the students believed that students were bullied every day, and 29.5 percent reported that students were bullied once or twice a week. Regular bullying was perceived as being mild, such as unpleasant teasing. Physical attacks and threats of physical attacks were viewed as occurring less often. The most common locations for bullying were reported to be the playground, followed by classrooms and while walking to and from school. Boys and groups of boys were viewed as the most frequent perpetrators of bullying. The survey was conducted in the first term of 2003. A total of 1,926 questionnaires were completed by students in grades 6 through 11 from 9 primary, 8 secondary, and 2 special schools in District 4, Tshwane South. 7 tables and a 8-item bibliography