A significant bill aimed at combating school bullying has been developed in Russia. This marks the first time a legal definition for bullying is provided, clearly differentiating it from typical school conflicts. Key characteristics include systematic, intentional, and demeaning actions. In confirmed cases of bullying, aggressors could face temporary isolation from their peers. However, educators and experts hold divided opinions on the proposed measures.
According to «Vedomosti» newspaper, the new draft law suggests transferring instigators and organizers of school bullying to special educational institutions. The bill defines bullying by its systematic nature, premeditation, and degrading character, setting it apart from ordinary disputes.
The most stringent measure for a child repeatedly committing violence against classmates would be temporary placement in special educational-rehabilitative organizations. This information was shared with the newspaper by a source familiar with the document`s contents and confirmed by a State Duma representative.
Business FM radio station surveyed educators for their opinions on this initiative:
«Perhaps in some isolated or specific cases, this might not be a bad idea. But again, schools, like children, vary greatly. There`s a possibility that a child who was on the sidelines, not participating in bullying or supporting the victim, could be lumped in with everyone else and sent to such an institution. This law likely needs further refinement to include clear definitions: for what, when, how, and why. Something akin to a Criminal Code.»
«I completely agree with this initiative. In my experience, such children exist. But the problem is that parents must give consent, and they often disagree. Parents resist, saying, `No, that`s not true, it couldn`t be,` even when a child behaves quite inappropriately, breaking noses or doing other things. They consider it normal, claiming, `He was provoked.` It`s a double-edged sword. For instance, there was an attempt at `bully-like` behavior, and then it turned out to be untrue, no one was bullied, it was a girl`s fabrication. One needs to think carefully here.»
«I believe this measure is excessive. We already have various laws and decrees that regulate the prevention of different offenses, including bullying and the application of measures concerning a child and their parents. We understand that any deviation from social norms is a matter not just for the child, but for their family and social environment, which, by the way, includes the school. I am convinced that excellent programs exist — the most well-known being the `500+` program, which helps schools with various educational challenges to solve them jointly with experts and professionals. The legislative norm that deputies are planning to discuss… I understand that elections are approaching, and simply expelling, tormenting a child, throwing them into an educational-rehabilitative colony — well, they will return from there, and it will be terrible. It seems like too serious and hasty a measure that does not change the priority approach to solving various issues — administrative or, God forbid, criminal violations by minors. Forgive me, you can punish a child and wound their soul only once, and that cannot be undone. As a representative of the professional community, I do not see strong arguments for this bill to be adopted, approved, and implemented. There`s a lot of emotion involved.»
«Bullying is not an inevitable phenomenon. It depends on the adults in that collective whether it stops instantly or persists. Is it resolved by such punitive measures? It is resolved by a system of measures. First is prevention. Second, if bullying has indeed started, immediately acknowledge the problem, stop it, and continue working with the group. Not even just with the aggressor or the victim, because in bullying (research clearly shows this), the main role is that of witnesses. If not a single person supports the instigator, there will be no bullying. And we usually say that the aggressor also needs help. Children with adequate self-esteem and stable families do not go around bullying others. Is isolation effective? Removing the aggressor doesn`t always `cure` bullying. If the group itself isn`t `cured,` if they haven`t worked with the group, if the group hasn`t gained a mature, wise, safe adult — at any moment, the next anti-leader and the next victim could appear. Here, I truly hope that our legislators have studied the phenomenon of the `school-to-prison pipeline.` Research shows that this increases the number of people who simply become prisoners later. There`s a high probability that even when they return, they will join the ranks of criminals. A big question here is: what will happen to them in this place of temporary detention?»
The bill also includes a provision for regional centers for psychological, pedagogical, medical, and social assistance to support schools where bullying cases are recorded. The project is expected to be inter-factional. «Vedomosti» reports that the document might be submitted for consideration to the State Duma as early as this week.
