Memorandum submitted by the National Union
of Students (NUS)
The National Union of Students (NUS) is a voluntary
membership organisation comprising a confederation of local student
representative organisations in colleges and universities throughout
the United Kingdom, which have chosen to affiliate. We have nearly
750 constituent members—virtually every college and university
in the country. NUS represents the interests of around five million
students in further and higher education throughout the United
Kingdom. It provides research, representation, campaign work,
training and expert advice for individual students and students'
unions.
INTRODUCTION
NUS members are students' unions representing
those studying in further and higher education. The focus of this
response is on the experiences of students in the further and
higher education sector and the effects of bullying on these students.
This submission suggests that further and higher
education is in desperate need of more comprehensive information
about bullying and increased resources to tackle it. If the issue
of bullying is not tackled, it will continue to be a major problem
throughout further and higher education.
Bullying does not stop at school, bypass FE/HE
and return again in the work place. Bullying can affect anyone
at any time. No matter where it is, or when it takes place it
is harmful to all involved, not just those bullied. It can lead
to self-doubt, lack of confidence, low self-esteem, depression,
anxiety, self-harm and sometimes even suicide. 1 in 4 students
suffer from some type of mental illness. This statistic will most
defiantly have a section of students being bullied within it.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
NUS believes that:
— There is a relationship between bullying
at university and retention.
— There are no statistics on the extent
of the problem. No research into bullying in FE and HE has been
done, in turn this has meant that the problem has been underestimated.
— The problem of bullying is not confined
to peer groups, students are also bullied by lecturers and supervisors.
Often, bullying disproportionately affects postgraduate students.
The bulling of anyone by anyone is not acceptable.
— Bullying can have serious implications
on a student's academic achievement, and progression. Those who
have been bullied suffer from poor physical and mental health
as a direct result of their experiences. The effects of bullying
can continue throughout life.
— Universities have a responsibility
for the pastoral as well as the academic care of those in their
charge.
NUS recommends that:
— A review is undertaken regarding
further education and higher education's approach to bullying.
— Education should be inclusive and
recognise diversity.
— There be regular training days for
all teachers to refresh their understanding of diversity and equality
issues.
— Comprehensive and inclusive anti-bullying
policies should be implemented in all further and higher education
institutions.
THE EXTENT
AND NATURE
OF THE
PROBLEM
1. How bullying should be definedNUS defines
bullying as any action taken which makes another feel intimidated,
excluded, or unsafe. We believe that bullying has a hugely adverse
effect on students' academic achievement and social, physical
and mental wellbeing.
1.1 The extent of bullying on FE and HE
campuses
There are no official statistics in FE and HE
about the extent of the problem. Much of the current research
is anecdotal.
NUS has recently launched its own survey into
the extent of bullying on campuses, which is due to conclude in
late January. The statistics used in this submission are the responses
of the survey from 21 November until 10 December.
EVIDENCE TO
DATE FROM
THE NUS SURVEY:
74% of respondents did not know if their college
or university had a policy on bullying.
Extent of Bullying:
— To date, 62% of respondents claimed
that they have been bullied while at university and 34% stated
that it lasted longer than a year.
— 61% of respondents know of someone
that has been bullied and of those, 28% said that the person was
bullied for over a year.
— 35% of students were bullied by a
fellow student,
— 24% by a flat-mate. This is particularly
difficult as often, the victim does not tell anyone that they
are being bullied. They have to live alongside the bully, which
can make the situation worse and in many cases, it is the victim
who must move out rather than the bully.
Reasons for Bullying:
— 17% suffered from homophobic bullying
(homophobic bullying can affect anyone who is perceived as "different"
or who is friends with those who are "different");
— 10% were bullied on their academic
ability; and
— 10% were bullied on social class.
Nature of Bullying:
— The nature of bullying changes as
technology develops. Students are now vulnerable to bullying through
internet chat rooms and mobile phones.
Of those who were Bullied:
— 82% suffered verbal abuse;
— 60% were victims of malicious lies;
— 71% suffered humiliation; and
— 64% experienced unfair criticism.
Effects of bullying:
Bullying is harmful to all involved, not just
the bullied, and can lead to self-doubt, lack of confidence, low
self-esteem, depression, anxiety, self-harm and sometimes even
suicide:
Of those who were bullied:
— 80% had reduced self-esteem;
— 68% had disrupted sleep patterns;
and
— 60% said that it affected their academic
performance.
Consequences of bullying:
— 50% of people did nothing while they
were being bullied—confronting the bully or the group of
bullies is a big leap. Often, the victim of bullying feels that
they are at fault.
— 21% talked to a friend that they
felt that they could trust.
— 0% sought external support agencies.
Of those who reported the bully:
— 31% say that nothing happened.
NUS WOULD LIKE
TO SEE
— A review regarding further education
and higher education institutions' approach to bullying.
— Guidance given to further and higher
education institutions that encourages that institution and the
students union to produce comprehensive, practical and inclusive
anti- bullying policies. Further and higher education institutions
need to recognise that bullying is an issues that needs to be
tackled. Any guidance should include:
— A stipulation that all instances of bullying
should be dealt with on a record and report basis. This is necessary
to fully understand the extent of bullying in further education
colleges and universities, to ensure that any form of bullying
is not ignored.
— Training on issues of diversity and equality
for all new teachers and lecturers. This should draw on case studies
of people who have experienced bullying. For example, when creating
and delivering lecture plans on social issues, sexual health and
relationships.
— Regular training days for all teachers
and lecturers to refresh their understanding of diversity and
equality issues.
— The Government forming legislation that
is specific on bullying. There is no direct clause in the law
regarding bullying, however under "The Equal Opportunities
Policy", the law demands fair and equal treatment through
the following:
The Sex Discrimination Act
1975
The Race Relations Act 1976
The Disability Discrimination
Act 1995
The Protection from Harassment
Act 1997
December 2006
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