One in Five Moldovan Students Face Bullying Weekly
Approximately 21% of Moldovan students in grades 5-12 experience weekly bullying, according to a new study by the Alliance of NGOs Active in the Field of Child and Family Social Protection (APSCF).
An additional 40% face bullying less frequently. The study, conducted between January and June 2023, focused on gathering data on knowledge, attitudes, and practices for preventing and combating bullying in Moldova, with the goal of developing recommendations for authorities.
The research reveals that verbal and relational bullying (54%) are the most common forms, surpassing physical bullying (46%). Jokes made at the expense of others were most frequently reported (62%), followed by labelling (60%) and teasing (54%). Additionally, 3 out of 100 students experienced cyberbullying at least monthly during the last school year.
"In addition to interventions for students who need to learn how to discourage verbal bullying, programs for teachers are crucial. Adults, including parents, need guidance to reduce labelling students as 'good' or 'bad'," emphasised Sorina Petrică, a Romanian clinical psychologist and psychotherapist who contributed to the study's recommendations.
The study found that while students, teachers, psychologists, parents, and others interacting with students are aware of bullying and cyberbullying, their knowledge of effective prevention and response strategies is limited.
"While a deficient family environment is associated with bullying behaviours, focusing on this aspect risks turning the issue into a disciplinary matter, leading to punitive approaches. This can worsen bullying and shift it online," explains Petrică.
Sustainable solutions require a multi-pronged approach. Parents need specialised support, and teachers must learn techniques to foster awareness and empathy in students. The study urges an increase in school psychologists and training to enhance their ability to identify, assess, and intervene effectively in bullying situations.
"We are happy to note that 84% of surveyed students stated that teachers addressed bullying in the last year. This signals progress. We are committed to continued efforts with our partners to implement programs to combat this issue," said Rodica Braguță, head of the legal department at the Ministry of Education and Research.
The study was conducted by Magenta Consulting for APSCF within the "Together for Quality Education" project, implemented by APSCF from 2021-2024 with the financial support of the Liechtenstein Development Service.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
