Bullying - What parents can do

Bullying can take various forms. The Ministry of Education's national policy on bullying defines it as any type of verbal or physical behaviour intended to hurt, intimidate or offend. This could include name-calling, humiliation, spreading rumours, teasing, taking possessions by force, physical violence, and any other emotional as well as sexual abuse.

How is a parent to notice that their child may be a target of bullying at school?

"Refusing or resisting school is often an indication," said Ms Cassar. "A parent should certainly ask if bullying may be the cause for this behaviour, especially if the child was previously quite happy to go to school."

Carelessness or sudden lack of interest in schoolwork may be another telltale sign, as could a decrease in appetite.

The procedures laid out in the policy advise parents to inform the school head straight away if they suspect or know bullying is taking place, and to then support the school's efforts to solve the problem.

At home, parents should teach their children how to protect themselves - children need to acquire coping skills, said Ms Cassar.

"It is important for the child to be helped and encouraged to take some kind of action themselves. Parents should ask him if he has told the aggressor that he is being annoyed by him, and if he has reported it to the teacher. In serious cases, if is very important for the parent to report it to the school immediately."

One pattern noticed by the anti-bullying section is that over-protected children tend to be more bullied than others.

"Parents need to allow their children to develop confidence and self-reliance. Sleeping in their parents' bed after a certain age is common among timid children and a number of our cases. This could be a sign of insecurity that won't serve the child well when faced with a bully on the school playground.

"Lack of simple skills such as not knowing how to do up one's shoelaces, dressing or washing on their own are often signs of helplessness that young children need to overcome if they are not to become targets for bullying."