Bullying in Ukraine: A 2025 Overview
In 2025, Ukrainian educational institutions reported 285 bullying incidents—an 8% increase from the previous year. However, this figure still falls short of 2021 levels, when law enforcement averaged 37 bullying reports each month. Throughout the 2025 academic year, police issued roughly 32 monthly reports. Courts handled 75% of bullying cases, signaling a growing legal accountability for such offenses.
Of all bullying cases recorded in 2025, 58% (164 incidents) involved children and adolescents. Early data from 2026 shows police have already documented 67 similar cases. Meanwhile, bullying by adults has risen: 65 cases were recorded in 2025, a 14% increase from 2024. Among these, 16 involved repeat or group bullying by adults—one and a half times more than the previous year.
Notably, group bullying among children and adolescents declined in 2025, with 24 cases reported—a 20% drop from 2024. At the same time, 16 protocols were issued against school principals for failing to report bullying, marking a 23% rise compared to the period before the full-scale war.
Larysa Hretchenko noted that 'parents often fear conflict with the school, pressure from the staff, or doubt that an official complaint will help protect their child.'
School Accountability and Legal Consequences
Schools face increasing responsibility for covering up bullying. Larysa Hretchenko explained that 'schools don’t always hide bullying intentionally. Often, the administration tries to resolve matters internally to avoid scandal or reputational damage.' Bringing principals to justice has become possible thanks to established court practices. In 2021, rulings were issued in only 55% of cases, compared to 41% in 2026.
Statistics show that online anonymity does not exempt individuals from accountability, as the Cyber Police also noted. Overall, bullying remains a pressing issue in Ukraine, requiring continued attention from both society and the state.
The rise in bullying incidents highlights the need for better response systems in schools. Stronger legal measures and increased oversight by law enforcement could help reduce these cases. However, it is equally important to address the social and psychological factors that influence the behavior of children and adults, as well as their perception of the problem. Society must be ready to openly discuss these issues to create a safe environment for learning and development.
The rise in bullying incidents among children and adolescents highlights the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address such behavior. As schools grapple with increasing legal accountability, it is crucial to understand the implications of online interactions as well. Recent warnings from cyber police indicate that sharing memes involving teachers and classmates can lead to serious legal consequences. For more insights on how digital behavior intersects with school bullying, see our coverage on criminal implications of online content.