A quarter of children have been subjected to verbal bullying in the last year, a new survey conducted in the UK by the Anti-Bullying Alliance has revealed.

The research, which involved nearly 1,000 11 to 16-year-olds, found 26 per cent had been verbally abused, with the majority (79 per cent) experiencing it at school.

Conducted to mark the start of Anti-Bullying Week today (November 14th), the study showed 81 per cent of respondents believe bullying is a problem at their school or in their local area, with 12 per cent seeing it as a major issue.

Chair of the Anti-Bullying Alliance Ross Hendry said there is sometimes "a tendency to see verbal bullying as being less serious than physical bullying" but noted it can be "just as damaging", to the point where children do not want to go to school.

Cyber bullying is also an issue for pupils, with research conducted by the Cork Institute of Technology earlier in the year revealing nearly 50 per cent of students are aware pupils are targeted through their mobile phone or over the internet.

Written by Donal Walsh

Comments