The number of children and teenagers who become victims of abuse at school has increased, police statistics show.
In 2008, police reported 1,300 cases of school abuse which resulted in all sorts of injuries: bruises, cuts, concussions, broken arms or legs. In 2009, the number of violent encounters increased to 2,200.
Primary schools and lower secondary schools are the most violence-prone. In 2009, almost one thousand fights were reported among primary school pupils, while only 60 among upper secondary school students. In January, a 15-year-old boy from Pomiechowek in the Mazovia region set his colleague on fire just for fun. Girls have also become more aggressive and are involved in fights more often, psychologists warn.
Police numbers show that one of the main problems at Polish schools are assaults and extortions, which amount at 3-4,000 every year. Twelve 15-year-olds from the western town of Nowa Sol extorted 30 zloty (7.5 euro) a day from younger colleagues, threatening that they will beat them. The money was spent on drugs, such as marijuana and amphetamines.
On the other hand, the number of school thefts has gone down slightly, according to the new figures. In 2009, there were 2,600 thefts in primary schools and lower secondary schools, a drop by 160 on the previous year. Students steal money, mobile phones, jackets, shoes but also sandwiches and books.
Police statistics do not report bullying or other kinds of psychological abuse, which are common at school. (mg)
Source: Rzeczpospolita
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