Report bullying promptly and request a documented school response; report assault, extortion, or suspected crime to police
Meta-analysis linked peer victimization with about 2.2 times the odds of suicidal thoughts and 2.6 times the odds of suicide attempts. Chinese schools must investigate reports immediately, make a formal determination, and respond when bullying is established. Serious incidents involving public-security violations or suspected crimes must be reported rather than concealed. Keep written records.
What it takes
Nothing to report. Contact the class teacher and the school's bullying-management body; China's police number is 110. Resisting pressure to keep the matter quiet can be difficult.
What you may gain
Across 34 studies and 284,375 children and adolescents, peer victimization was associated with suicidal ideation, OR 2.23, 95% CI 2.10–2.37. Nine studies with 70,102 participants linked victimization with suicide attempts, OR 2.55, 1.95–3.34. Results were consistent across sex, age, and study-quality groups; cyberbullying had a stronger association with suicidal ideation than offline bullying. Article 21 of China's Provisions on School Protection of Minors lists physical attacks such as beating, kicking, slapping, scratching, biting, pushing, and pulling; insults, ridicule, and demeaning nicknames; taking, extorting, or deliberately damaging property; malicious exclusion; and online defamation or rumors. Intentional or malicious acts by a party with an age, physical, or numerical advantage that cause physical injury, property loss, or psychological harm can constitute bullying. Article 22 requires staff noticing unusual emotions or injuries to inquire and report. Article 23 requires immediate investigation, submission to the bullying-management body for determination and handling, and parental participation. Established bullying requires educational or disciplinary measures. Serious acts violating public-security rules or suspected of crime must be reported promptly to police and education authorities. The rules took effect nationwide in China on September 1, 2021.
Context & considerations
Unexplained injuries, suddenly refusing school, and repeatedly missing belongings are reasons to ask what happened. The research is observational and cannot prove that bullying alone caused suicidal behavior, but the association warrants attention. China's comprehensive school bullying plan also requires distinguishing bullying from ordinary play. A school must assess the circumstances instead of dismissing a report with “children are just playing.”
Research & references
van Geel M et al. (2014). Relationship between peer victimization, cyberbullying, and suicide in children and adolescents: a meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatrics. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2013.4143; Ministry of Education (2021). Provisions on School Protection of Minors, Order No. 50, Articles 21–23. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2021-06/02/content_5614946.htm