The authors analyse the phenomenon of bullying administering a questionnaire in the year 2007. The questionnaire, which was strictly anonymous was given to 350 students from seven primary and middle schools in the city and province of Catania.The replies given by students from the primary schools were compared with those of students in the first years of middle,and subsequently compared with the findings of studies conducted on nationally and internationally. The study was designed to ascertain the frequency and type of abusive behaviour, where these acts took place, differences regarding bullies’ gender and age and their motivations as well as the attitude of students towards them. Also investigated were the propensity of students to talk to others about the violence they observed and the ability to devise strategies to resolve conflicts among peers. The results obtained showed, in particular, that the rate of bullying experienced was much higher (68% primary school, 56% middle school) than the figures previously found in Italy. Another finding was the widespread feeling of distrust, 30% of those interviewed, as regards the usefulness of reporting to others the episodes of violence witnessed. Other patterns of behaviour found were of particular interest as regards future action. The majority of students from both primary and middle schools were inclined to resolve conflicts at school by confrontation of victims and their bullies and by understanding their reasons, whilst only one student in seven (about 15%) favoured clearly punitive action. This finding is consistent with the new approaches regarding restorative justice and mediation in penal matter which are appearing in criminal justice policies in many countries. However, at the same time they contrast sharply with commonly held views and with the purely punitive lines of thinking which too often characterise criminal and school policies against bullying. The place in which acts of bullying were most commonly found were school playgrounds, classrooms, corridors and toilets.This confirms school to be the place where the majority of bullying occurs and that by taking action on site a substantial drop in bullying can be achieved, as has been demonstrated by many school programmes undertaken in Italy and particularly abroad.
