The NUS Student Experience Report, published in November 2009, shows that 7 per cent of students asked said they had personally experience bullying at university. This was significantly influenced by gender, with females more likely to experience bullying.
Nowhere to go
Of those who had experienced bullying, 79 per cent said that it had been carried out by another student, with 24 per cent stating it was done by a member of staff. What’s even more worrying, though, is that the majority of students didn’t know who to report it to. For those who did report it to their university only 38 per cent either that their university provided adequate support or that the university provided excellent advice and support.
Meanwhile, 38 per cent said that the university had provided some advice and assistance but it was inadequate at resolving the problem. For 23 per cent, the university did not provide any support.
For Sarah Harris (not her real name) knowing who to talk to was a problem.
“A couple of girls on my course would whisper about me in class. I found it really uncomfortable but didn’t know who to talk to about it,” recalls Sarah. “I didn’t want to talk to my lecturer, as it would be obvious to the bullies that I had reported them, and I felt that it was easier to put up with it than make it any worse.”
Lasting effects
The effects of bullying are long lasting, says NUS Vice President (Welfare) Ama Uzowuru, but it is important to get help from someone.
“Being bullied has a major impact on your health; it leads to self-doubt, lack of confidence, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, self-harm and sometimes even suicide. Many students up and down the country are dropping out of university because they just can’t cope anymore. Everyone has the right to study in safety.”
Sarah said at times, dropping out of university seemed like her only option. “The torture was endless. Even if I didn’t have classes with the people who were bullying me, I was worried about bumping into them in the library. There were times when I just wanted to quit.”
Anti-bullying campaign
NUS has launched an anti-bullying campaign to look into bullying in further and higher education, how it can be prevented and how it can be resolved.
“We are paying particular attention to students’ unions and universities having joint policies on how they tackle the problem of bullying at their institution,” explains Ama.
“We are also working with an organisation called Beat Bullying on a cyber mentor project, which aims to train online mentors to help those being bullied."
Speak out
If you are suffering at the hands of bullies, whether face to face or online, it is important you speak to someone says Ama.
"Being bullied can be a lonely and isolating experience and it is important that suffering in silence is not the norm. Students’ unions offer free, impartial advice to their members who find themselves in difficult times,” adds Ama.
Bullying can be tough to deal with and there is no quick solution, but talking to someone about what you are going through can make a real difference. Don’t suffer in silence, go to your students’ union and speak out about bullying. They will be able to give you advice on how best to deal with the problem and may be able to help you solve it.
Further advice:
Beat Bullying