The new school year can be a challenge for many parents if their child is experiencing bullying at school. It is important not to keep quiet about bullying, as it is harmful to the child's physical and psychological well-being. The website of the Educational Ombudsman explains how to properly file a bullying complaint so that it can be reviewed and the perpetrator held accountable.
Steps in Bullying
Parents should notify the school principal and, if necessary, contact the police or the Education Ombudsman Service. Many complaints go unaddressed due to a lack of evidence or a description of the specific facts of bullying.
Properly filing a statement increases the chances of a trial and punishment of the offender.
How to make a statement
The application must be in writing and contain:
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Surname, first name, patronymic of the child and the applicant;
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Place of residence;
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The essence of the appeal;
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Signature and date of submission;
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Contact details (phone, email).
Describe the facts of the bullying in detail:
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When it started and its duration;
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Dates, times and locations of each incident;
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Witnesses and actions of other children or school staff;
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Consequences for the child (physical, psychological, economic);
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Evidence (photos, screenshots, audio or video).
It is important to separate facts from your own emotions.
Application registration
The application must be registered in two copies: one remains at the school with the entry number and date, the second with the applicant. After that, the school principal is obliged to consider the situation and convene a commission on bullying issues.
The manager also reports the complaint to the police, or the complainant can do so himself. If the bullying is confirmed, the case is considered by the court. The offender or his parents may be fined under Art. 173-4 of the Code of Administrative Offenses (bullying) or Art. 184 of the Code of Administrative Offenses (failure to fulfill obligations to raise children).
Timely response and proper filing of the application are the key to protecting the child and holding the perpetrator accountable.
