Québec, January 18, 2024. – Approximately 12% of Quebecers aged 12 and over experienced bullying or cyberbullying in 2022. This finding comes from the Québec Study on Social Relations at School, at Work and in the Community 2022 (QSSR) conducted among more than 21,000 people aged 12 and over. The study focuses on bullying and cyberbullying experienced in the 12 months before the study.
Who is most affected?
Those who were most likely to have experienced bullying or cyberbullying in the 12 months before the study in at least one of the three contexts that were examined in the QSSR (school, work, or elsewhere) include:
- Young people aged 12 to 17 (31% vs. 3.0% to 21.3% in older groups).
- Persons whose sexual orientation is LGB+ (28% vs. 10% for those who are heterosexual).
- Transgender and non-binary persons (34% vs. 11% among cisgender persons).
- Indigenous persons living outside communities (19%) and members of visible minorities (16%) versus 12% for members of ethnic minorities and 11% for those who are not part of these groups.
- Persons with a disability that limits their daily activities (21% vs. 10% for persons without a restrictive disability).
- Persons with a low household income (14% vs. 11–12% among those whose income level is higher).
What are bullying and cyberbullying?
Bullying and cyberbullying consist in aggressive behaviours that harm the affected person, are repeated over time, and occur in a context of power imbalance between the affected person and the person responsible for these behaviours.
In the study, bullying refers to situations that have occurred outside cyberspace, while cyberbullying refers to situations that have occurred via any type of information and communication technology.
When referring to situations that have occurred in the workplace, the terms that are used in the study are “harassment” and “cyberharrasment”.
The situation in schools
About 13% of people aged 12 and over who took one or more classes at an educational institution (elementary or secondary school, college, or university) experienced bullying or cyberbullying in the year before the study.
Proportion of persons who experienced bullying or cyberbullying in a school context in the 12 months before the study, population aged 12 and over1, Québec, 2022
1. Persons aged 12 and over who took a class at an educational institution in the 12 months before the study.
Source
Institut de la statistique du Québec, Québec Study on Social Relations at School, at Work and in the Community 2022.
A greater proportion of people have experienced bullying in educational institutions attended by younger students:
- Elementary or secondary schools: 27.9%
- Trade or vocational schools: 7.2%
- CEGEPs: 7.6%
- Universities: 3.4%
The situation in the workplace
Nearly 8% of people who had a job in the 12 months before the study experienced harassment or cyberharassment.
Proportion of persons who experienced workplace harassment or cyberharassment in the 12 months before the study, population aged 12 and over1, Québec, 2022
1. Persons aged 12 and over who had a job in the 12 months before the study.
Source
Institut de la statistique du Québec, Québec Study on Social Relations at School, at Work and in the Community 2022.
Young adults aged 18 to 24 were more likely (11%) to have experienced harassment than people in other age groups, while those aged 25 to 44 and 45 to 64 were more likely to have experienced cyberharassment (3.2% and 2.5%, respectively).
The situation outside school and work
Approximately 7% of those aged 12 and over have experienced bullying or cyberbullying outside school or work (neighbourhood, sports or recreational activities, etc.).
Proportion of persons who experienced bullying or cyberbullying outside a school or work context in the 12 months before the study, population aged 12 and over, Québec, 2022
Source
Institut de la statistique du Québec, Québec Study on Social Relations at School, at Work and in the Community 2022.
Do people who experience bullying and cyberbullying tell anyone?
Most people who have experienced bullying or cyberbullying have spoken to someone about it. In a school context, about 60% of those who experienced these issues told someone. At work, nearly 78% of employed persons who experienced harassment or cyberharassment confided in someone. Lastly, outside these two contexts, it is estimated that 61% of persons aged 12 and over talked to someone about the situations they experienced.
The Institut de la statistique du Québec produces, analyzes and disseminates official, objective and quality statistical information on various aspects of Québec society. It is responsible for conducting all statistical surveys of general interest. The relevance of its work makes it a strategic ally for decision makers and all those wishing to learn more about Québec.