Anti-Bullying Awareness  •  Pakistan

Understanding
Bullying &
Its Psychological Impact on Students

Bullying is not "just teasing." It leaves real wounds on the mind, heart, and future of every child it touches.

72%
Pakistani school children have experienced bullying (SPARC, 2022)
27%
Students in 7 Pakistani cities were bullied — affecting academic performance (Naveed et al., 2019)
more likely to develop depression if bullied (Ttofi et al., 2011)
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Share Your Experience

Have You Been There?

Have you ever experienced bullying? If yes, what type?

Have you witnessed bullying or known someone who was a victim or target?

The Basics

What Is Bullying?

"Bullying is repeated, intentional aggressive behaviour directed at an individual who has difficulty defending themselves, involving a real or perceived power imbalance." — Olweus, 1993

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Repetition

It happens more than once — or has the potential to recur. A single incident is not bullying on its own.

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Intent

The behaviour is deliberate. It is not an accident or a joke. The bully chooses to act this way.

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Power Imbalance

The bully has more power — physical size, social popularity, or numbers. The victim cannot easily defend themselves.

Know the Forms

Types of Bullying in Pakistani Schools

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Physical
Hitting, pushing, stealing tiffin or belongings. Common in govt school playgrounds.
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Verbal
"Duffer," "kaali," "mazdoor ka bacha" — name-calling in front of the whole class.
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Cyberbullying
Fake WhatsApp accounts, humiliating TikTok reels, exclusion from class groups.
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Academic
Mocking poor grades publicly, sabotaging group assignments.
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Identity-Based
Targeting based on religion, ethnicity, disability, or appearance.

A Real Story

Hira's Voice — Lahore

🇵🇰 Government School, Lahore

Hira was 13. Her classmates created a WhatsApp group called "Hira Free Zone." Every student was in it — except her. Every day, messages about her circulated. Her clothes. Her family's work. Her face.

She never told her mother — because she thought: "Ammi will say ignore it. Or it will get worse."

Three months later, Hira stopped eating. Then stopped sleeping. Then stopped going to school.

The teacher wrote "long absence" in the register. No one visited. No one asked why.

Hira was not dramatic. She was not weak. She was a child who needed just one adult to notice.

Set the Record Straight

Myth vs Reality

❌ Myth✅ Reality
"It's just teasing — toughen up"Repeated targeting causes real psychological harm regardless of form
"Boys will be boys"Physical bullying is never normal. It always requires intervention
"If they didn't say anything, it wasn't serious"Most victims stay silent out of shame, fear, or distrust of adults
"The bully is just a bad child"Bullies often carry their own trauma, insecurity, and unaddressed pain
"Counselling is for pagal people"Seeking help is strength. Counselling is a professional tool for healing
"Only physical bullying is harmful"Verbal and social bullying cause equal — sometimes greater — psychological damage

You Are Not Alone

Pakistani Helplines & Support

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National Youth Helpline
0800-69457
HEC & UNFPA — free, confidential psychosocial support for students. Mental health, bullying, educational issues. Available nationwide.
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DRF Cyber Harassment Helpline
0800-39393
Digital Rights Foundation — Pakistan's first toll-free helpline for online harassment & cyberbullying. Legal advice + psychological support. Mon–Fri 9am–5pm.
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Umang Mental Health Helpline
0317-4288665
Free mental health support in Urdu & English. Counselling, referrals, and crisis support for students and families.
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FIA Cyber Crime Wing
9911
Report cyberbullying, harassment, or online threats. Available 24/7 for reporting cyber crimes against students.

Stay Informed

Research & Articles

Pakistan Today • 2024
Bullying: Exploring the Impact on Students in Pakistan
Pakistan Today
Research • PMC • 2023
Bullying Prevalence in Pakistan's Educational Institutes — Teacher Perspectives
PLOS One / PubMed Central
Guide • Academia Mag
Bullying in Pakistan: A Guide for Students to Avoid Being a Victim
Academia Magazine
Cyberbullying • Policy Wire
Cyberbullying in Pakistan: Impact, Statistics & Legal Challenges
Policy Wire • 2024
UNICEF Pakistan
UNICEF Calls for Action to Prevent Online Bullying of Young People in Pakistan
UNICEF Pakistan
UNFPA • 2024
National Youth Helpline: Help Is But a Phone Call Away
UNFPA Pakistan

Seek Professional Help

Counselling Services in Pakistan

🎓 UMT Happiness Centre
School of Professional Psychology, Lahore
Clinical counselling services for individuals of all ages. Addresses bullying, anxiety, depression, and psycho-social issues. Run by trained clinical psychologists.
📍 C-II Johar Town, Lahore
📞 +92 42 35212801-10
🌐 spp.umt.edu.pk/happinesscenter
🌿 Umang
NGO — Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi
Free mental health helpline and counselling services. Specialises in youth mental health, trauma, and crisis support in Urdu and English.
📞 0317-4288665
🕘 Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm
💻 Digital Rights Foundation
Islamabad — Nationwide
Cyber harassment helpline for victims of online bullying. Provides legal advice, digital security support, and psychological counselling referrals.
📞 0800-39393 (toll-free)
✉️ helpdesk@digitalrightsfoundation.pk
🏥 Rozan Counselling Centre
Islamabad
Community-based mental health and counselling services. Works with children, adolescents, and families. Gender-sensitive and culturally adapted approach.
🌐 rozan.org
📍 Islamabad