Nearly half of primary school children in Northern Ireland feel they have been bullied, according to a report published by the University of Ulster today.
Children as young as 10 said they have been taunted, made fun of, called names, subjected to false rumours or physically hurt in cruel campaigns which can last for years, the report said.
It found 43 per cent of P6 primary school pupils questioned had been targeted at some stage. Just over a quarter (26 per cent) revealed it had happened once or twice, while for 17 per cent it could be three or more times during the past couple of months.
One in five (21 per cent) of secondary school pupils surveyed also reported being bullied.
In both age groups a fifth (22 per cent) of children confessed to being the tormentor. Some said they hit, kicked or pushed their victims around, or even locked them indoors.
Most of the primary school victims were picked on in the playground or athletic field, followed by the classroom when the teacher was absent, and then the lunch room.
Name calling or spiteful teasing was the most common among both sexes. But P6 girls were more likely to be excluded, while for boys physical bullying was more common.