School bullying often meets criteria for criminal offenses

School bullying can be so severe that it meets the legal criteria for a criminal offense, according to Marja Snellman-Aittola, a mental health expert at Mieli, a Finnish mental health organization.

Snellman-Aittola spoke about school bullying in an interview with Yle on Friday, following a report that numerous parents at a Steiner school in Tampere accuse the school of downplaying violence. Parents interviewed by Yle said school leaders failed to address bullying, which included physical violence.

The school’s administration acknowledges that in some cases, its response to bullying has been inadequate and says it is prepared to improve its practices. Police have investigated several incidents of violence linked to the school in recent years.

Noora Pikkuluoto, a lawyer with the Trade Union of Education (OAJ), emphasized that Finnish law requires immediate intervention and investigation into bullying. If bullying involves assault or violence, it must be reported to police, who then determine if a crime has occurred. Additionally, if there are concerns about a child’s well-being, a child welfare report must be filed.

Pikkuluoto noted that the law guarantees all students the right to a safe learning environment. She also highlighted the importance of parental involvement in monitoring and reporting bullying.

Snellman-Aittola added that bullying prevention can be supported by fostering group cohesion among students, encouraging them to get to know each other, and strengthening group safety. She stressed that children should be taken seriously when they report bullying and reassured that being bullied is unacceptable.