No More Bullying — A Call for Systemic Action Across Europe and the Globe

We, the petitioners, demand:

1. Adoption of anti-bullying legislation in Europe and around the world.

• Require all States and Governments to implement comprehensive, enforceable anti-bullying laws in schools, universities, workplaces, and online platforms.
• Mandatory reporting and protection measures for victims, with clear accountability and penalties for perpetrators.

2. Global coalition and policy frameworks

• Create an international task force under the UN or Council of Europe to develop standardized prevention strategies, training programs, and data collection on bullying and harassment.
• Encourage cross-border research partnerships to share best practices and evaluate policies’ effectiveness.

3. Education and mental health support

• Incorporate mandatory anti-bullying curricula, conflict resolution, and empathy training from early school years.
• Guarantee accessible mental health services in educational institutions, supported by national funding and trained professionals.

4. Robust monitoring and transparency

• Require all institutions to report bullying incidents publicly, anonymized but including frequency, severity, and response steps taken.
• Audit such data annually to assess the impact of policies, with corrective actions where needed.

5. Regulation of online spaces

• Enforce stricter accountability for social media platforms that permit harassment.
• Promote technology solutions like fast-response moderation and reporting channels for victims.

 

👉 Why this matters — Solid evidence shows bullying can escalate to violence, even mass violence.

On June 10, 2025, in Graz, Austria, a 21-year-old former high-school student opened fire at his old school, killing ten people—including students and a teacher—and injuring many more, before committing suicide. Austrian media and investigators noted the gunman described himself as a «victim of bullying», and left behind a note and video message referring to long-term bullying. This horrific event, now Austria’s deadliest modern school shooting, highlights how bullying, if ignored, can lead to irreparable consequences .

These are not isolated incidents — cases from around the world show how bullying can escalate into horrific violence:

• Finland (2007 & 2008): Two school shootings in Jokela and Kauhajoki, both carried out by students who had been bullied and socially isolated. A total of 18 people were killed across both attacks.
• South Korea (2011–present): A string of student suicides linked directly to school bullying prompted national protests and new legislation.
• Japan (2011, Otsu case): A 13-year-old boy died by suicide after relentless bullying. His school and city officials initially denied responsibility, triggering national outrage and policy change.
• Brazil (2019, Suzano): Two former students killed eight people in a school shooting. Reports confirmed they had suffered bullying and were radicalized online.
• France (2023): A 13-year-old girl, Lindsay, died by suicide after months of cyberbullying by classmates. The tragedy sparked widespread national debate and legal reform.
• India (various cases): Numerous student suicides have been reported due to caste-based or appearance-related bullying, especially in boarding schools and competitive academic environments.

These events underline a grim pattern: when bullying is ignored, denied, or downplayed, it can fester into deep trauma — or tragedy.

Therefore, we call on:

• Governments to adopt and enforce comprehensive anti-bullying laws.
• Educational and mental health institutions to prioritize prevention, detection, and support.
• International bodies to establish coordinated systems and share successful approaches.

 

Our children, students, colleagues, and communities deserve safe environments. We cannot wait for another tragedy before we act.

Sign now to demand systemic change — for safety and empathy for all.

 
Together, let's send bullying to the dustbin of history — in Europe and around the world.