Bullying
On this page you will find information on how to deal with bullying.
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Kiusaaminen (tietoa rikoksista, hero) ENG
Onko kiusaaminen rikos? (kiusaaminen-sivu)
Is bullying a crime?
Is bullying against the law?
There is no crime called bullying but many forms of bullying are crimes. Threatening with violence, psychological and physical violence, spreading lies and breaking other people's things are against the law. Also, name-calling, outrageous comments in the internet and making sexual innuendos can be crimes. This also concerns minors.
Don't downplay bullying but instead tell adults if you or your friend is being bullied. Demand that the adults intervene. Serious bullying can be reported to police even if you don't know if it is a crime. It's the job of police to consider it.
Do not downplay bullying
Something being done as a joke isn't a mitigating circumstance. Tell adults if you or your friend is being bullied. Demand that the adults intervene.
Miksei koulu tee mitään? (kiusaaminen sivu)
Why won't the school do anything?
What can the school do about bullying?
According to law the students are required to behave appropriately and the teachers have the obligation to intervene with bullying. Primarily bullying is stopped by talking. If that doesn't help the school can send the bully home in the middle of a school day. That doesn't sound like a harsh punishment but in Finland there is compulsory education by law so sending someone home from school is a serious action.
School and teachers have limited possibility to address bullying. A school can suspend a student for a maximum of three months but they can't be denied education indefinitely or moved to another school by coercive means.
When will police get involved?
If a school can't put an end to bullying a police report should be filled and then police will intervene in the situation. In such a situation it is also good that a smart adult will take the case forward with a teacher and not the child themselves.
Testaa tietosi: Kiusaaminen koulussa ja netissä ENG
Test your knowledge: Bullying in school and online
Bullying isn't a crime.
FALSE
Bullying isn't a type of crime but many forms of bullying are crimes. Such forms of bullying are for example assault, making threats, defamation, destruction of property or blackmail.
A classmate threatens verbally or non-verbally to throw scissors at you in school. This can be a crime.
TRUE
Threat of violence is considered an illegal threat that is a crime.
According to Criminal Code:
"A person who raises a weapon at another person or otherwise threatens another person with an offence, under such circumstances that the threatened person has justified reason to believe that his or her personal safety or property or that of someone else is in serious danger, shall be sentenced for illegal threat."
Nothing can be done to bullying.
FALSE
If you experience or witness bullying don't downplay it. Adults' responsibility is to help. Start by talking about it to a reliable adult and demand help.
Gossiping is not bullying
FALSE
Gossiping can be bullying at least when it is malicious. Gossiping is considered indirect bullying that can be spreading mean gossip, mocking others or talking bad behind someone's back. There are many forms of bullying, no one except the one being bullied can define what constitutes bullying.
A student is being called names in a closed WhatsApp group of the class that they are not part of. The participants of the group maybe guilty of a crime.
TRUE
Name-calling or spreading mocking images even in a closed group can constitute for example defamation that is a crime. Even if the situation wouldn't be considered a crime this sort of behaviour is unacceptable and it has to be intervened with.
According to law I can share an edited picture of a friend but only if I have myself taken the original photo.
TRUE AND FALSE
If you have yourself taken a picture you have a right to share it on social media.
If the editing has been done to mock the person sharing it is considered defamation and is therefore a crime.
If I share private information about someone I know, that is not meant to be shared publicly it is considered defamation.
TRUE
If you share private information about someone so that it is publicly available you have most likely committed a crime. However, it is not considered defamation but instead dissemination of information violating personal privacy. This can lead to a fine of thousands of euros. According to law:
"A person who unlawfully, 1) through the mass media or 2) otherwise by making available to many persons, presents information on or an insinuation or an image of the private life of another person so that the act is conducive to causing that person damage or suffering or subjecting that person to contempt shall be sentenced for dissemination of information violating personal privacy to a fine."
If you are being bullied in social media you should delete your account and continue with your life.
FALSE
You don't have to close your social media account and leave social media if you have experienced bullying. Bullying is never the fault of the one being bullied and the best solution isn't always that the bullied leaves the situation where the bullying happens. Remember that the bullies often take out their own bad feeling by bullying. A police report should be filed about the situation if necessary.
If you are being bullied online:
- Talk to an adult
- Don't give the bullies attention by reacting to messages or comments
- Take screenshots of the messages, comments or pictures send by the bullies
- Delete the comments and block the bullies from your account if possible
- Report the bullying to the social media administrator
- If the situation continues file a police report
I am being bullied, insulted and/or threatened online. Police can't help me.
FALSE
You should primarily use the block lists of the social media channels and report the situation to the social media administrator. However, if the abuse continues contact police. When you report the situation tell briefly what has happened and who is responsible. Clearly highlight the parts that you want police to notice in the material you give to police. Take screenshots about the situation if possible and send direct links to the profiles of the people involved.
Do you feel that you have been bullied in school, on the way home, in the free time or online? Or do you know that your friend is being bullied?
If you said yes or hesitated, ask for help!
Bullying needs to always be intervened with because it has very long-lasting consequences. If you have experienced bullying don't downplay your experience.
You can talk about it by contacting a safe adult or the following organizations: