Adopted in accordance with the requirements of Ukrainian legislation in the field of education.
This Procedure defines the mechanism for responding to bullying cases in educational institutions of all types and forms of ownership, except those providing adult education, including postgraduate education.
Terms used in this Procedure: offender (bully) – a participant in the educational process who commits bullying against another participant; victim – a participant against whom bullying was committed; observers – witnesses and/or direct eyewitnesses of the case; parties to bullying – the offender, victim, and observers (if any).
Signs that may give grounds to suspect a bullying case include: withdrawal, anxiety, fear, or conversely risky/defiant behavior; imbalance; aggressiveness; sudden behavior change; slowed thinking; avoidance of communication; isolation from the group; low self-esteem; rapid fatigue; fear of other participants; skipping classes; depressive states; self-harm; suicidal signs; physical injuries; attempts to hide injuries; complaints of pain; disappearance of personal belongings; offensive jokes, threats, rumor-spreading; and the existence of photo, video, or audio material depicting abuse.
Bullying includes cases occurring on the premises of the educational institution and adjacent territories, as well as outside the institution during educational activities, including on the way to/from the institution. Signs of bullying are systematic acts such as: deliberate deprivation of food, clothing, funds, or property; verbal abuse, threats, humiliation, intimidation; unwanted verbal, non-verbal, or physical behavior of a sexual nature; unwanted physical behavior (slapping, pushing, etc.); and other violent offenses.
Response entities include: the educational ombudsman service; child welfare services; social service centers for families, children and youth; local self-government bodies; heads and other staff of educational institutions; founders of educational institutions; and territorial units of the National Police of Ukraine.
Pedagogical and other staff of the institution, upon discovering bullying, are required to: take immediate action to stop the harmful impact; provide first aid and call emergency medical services if needed; contact the National Police if necessary; and notify the head of the institution and at least one parent or legal representative of the minor involved.
Participants in the educational process may report a bullying case (that they were party to, suspect occurred, or have reliable information about) to the head of the institution or other response entities. Reports may be submitted verbally and/or in writing, including via electronic communication.
Upon receiving a report, the head of the institution: promptly (within one day) notifies the National Police and at least one parent or legal representative; calls emergency medical services if needed; notifies the child welfare service and the social service center for families, children and youth; and convenes a commission meeting to review the case within three working days of receiving the report.
The commission's composition is approved by order of the head of the institution; the commission operates on a permanent basis. It consists of a chair, deputy chair, secretary, and at least five members, including teaching staff, a practical psychologist and social pedagogue (if available), and representatives of child welfare and social services.
The head of the institution chairs the commission, organizes its work, presides over meetings, and determines the agenda and functional duties of members. In the chair's absence, the deputy assumes duties; if both are absent, an elected member does so.
A commission member has the right to: review case materials and participate in their review; submit proposals and express opinions; participate in decision-making by voting; and add items to the meeting agenda. A commission member is obligated to: personally participate in the commission's work; not disclose information obtained through commission work; and carry out the chair's instructions within the law.
The commission's purpose is to stop the bullying case; restore relationships; determine causes and take measures to eliminate them; and assess the parties' needs for social and psychological-pedagogical services.
The commission's work is based on the principles of legality, rule of law, respect for human rights, impartiality, openness, confidentiality, prompt response, and zero tolerance for bullying.
The commission's tasks include: collecting information about the circumstances (explanations of the parties and parents, psychologist's conclusions, information from child welfare services, etc.); analyzing materials and deciding whether the circumstances stated in the report are confirmed. If confirmed – assessing the parties' service needs, determining causes and corrective measures, monitoring effectiveness, and providing recommendations to teachers and parents.
A commission meeting is valid with at least two-thirds of its members present. Decisions are made by open vote of the majority; in case of a tie, the chair's vote is decisive. The secretary keeps meeting minutes. The review period must not exceed ten working days from receipt of the report.
Bullying prevention is an ongoing systematic process aimed at identifying prevention measures, detecting bullying and potential risks, and eliminating such risks. It is based on the principles of non-discrimination, non-violent behavior, partnership with parents, a personalized approach, and gender equality.
This activity is reflected in a Bullying Prevention Action Plan, developed before the start of the school year and approved by the head of the institution. Activities may take the form of meetings, discussions, consultations, lectures, trainings, thematic events, and the like.
Measures include: organizing adequate security at the institution; safe internet use during the educational process; monitoring the use of electronic communication tools; developing participants' social and emotional intelligence; raising awareness of bullying, its causes and consequences; and building a culture of zero tolerance for violence and discrimination at the institution.