SCHOOL BULLYING
PREAMBLE
Bullying is a form of repeated violence, intentionally perpetrated by a person or group against someone who is in a disadvantaged or vulnerable situation, whether physically, emotionally, or psychologically. It is an abuse of power, in which the victim feels unable to defend themselves or react, often due to fear, humiliation, or isolation.
This type of violence can take many forms, such as offensive nicknames, humiliation, social exclusion, gossip, threats, physical aggression, discrimination, and verbal attacks, frequently related to gender, race, appearance, or sexual orientation. What characterizes bullying is not an isolated episode, but the repetition of aggressions over time and the power imbalance between aggressor and victim.
Bullying occurs in all schools, public and private, and at different levels of education. It can happen in various spaces, but it is more common in the playground, classrooms, and hallways, including in environments where there is adult supervision. Studies show that seemingly trivial attitudes—such as inaction in the face of aggression or even jokes made by educators—can contribute to the normalization of the problem.
Research indicates that boys are more involved in bullying situations than girls, both as aggressors and as victims. In general, boys practice more direct bullying, while girls tend to resort to indirect bullying, such as exclusion and spreading rumors.
In Brazil, recent data reinforces the seriousness of the scenario. According to information from the São Paulo State Department of Education, bullying records in schools nearly doubled between 2022 and 2024, rising from 4,739 to 9,270 cases. This significant growth, coupled with the increased sense of insecurity in school communities, demonstrates that bullying is a persistent, growing problem that requires continuous attention, prevention, and coordinated action between schools, families, and society.
More than a school conflict, bullying can cause profound and lasting damage to the lives of victims, affecting their mental health, self-esteem, school performance, and social relationships, which makes it essential to recognize, confront, and prevent it from an early age.
OUR ACTION
Given the complexity and profound impacts that bullying can have on the lives of children and adolescents, Hands On Human Rights acts strategically, humanely, and multidisciplinarily, recognizing bullying as a violation of rights that requires responses beyond the school environment.
Hands On's work begins with a qualified diagnosis of the case, considering not only the episode of violence itself, but also the social, family, institutional, and emotional context of the victim. This broader perspective allows for the identification of situations of abuse of power, institutional omission, repetition of aggressions, and asymmetry of power—central elements for characterizing bullying.
Based on this diagnosis, the organization provides legal assistance, guiding victims and families about their rights, the duties of educational institutions, and the administrative, educational, and, when necessary, judicial avenues for the protection of the child or adolescent. This action seeks to ensure not only adequate accountability, but above all, the cessation of violence and the comprehensive protection of the victim.
In parallel, Hands On develops mediation, awareness-raising, and prevention actions, engaging with schools, educators, and families to break the normalization of bullying and promote safe, inclusive, and respectful educational environments. The organization understands that prevention involves training in human rights, strengthening internal protocols, and building a school culture based on dignity and respect for differences.
Finally, Hands On continuously monitors the situation of the people it serves, following the evolution of the case, the fulfillment of agreed or determined measures, and the impacts on the emotional and social health of the victim. This continuous action reflects the organization's commitment to transforming concrete realities, ensuring that children and adolescents not only have their rights recognized but are effectively protected.
METHODOLOGICAL PATH
1. Diagnosis
2. Co-creation
3. Implementation
4. Monitoring