Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada has introduced administrative penalties for bullying (harassment, aggressive behavior) during the educational process.
Some 228 deputies, two more than the simple majority required, supported the corresponding measure (No. 8584) on amendments to some legislative acts of Ukraine concerning counteracting bullying in its second reading and in full at a plenary session of parliament on December 18.
This law defines bullying (harassment) as an act of participants in the educational process, which consists in psychological, physical, economic, sexual violence, including using electronic communication tools, which is carried out in relation to minor or other participants in the educational process, resulting in the victim suffering psychological or physical damage.
It is proposed to supplement the Code of Administrative Offenses of Ukraine with Article 173-4 and impose a penalty for bullying from 50 to 100 non-taxable minimum incomes of citizens (from Hr 850 to Hr 1,700) or community service from 20 to 40 hours.
In addition, bullying committed by a group of persons or within a year after the imposition of an administrative penalty, will be penalized with a fine totaling 100-200 non-taxable minimums (Hr 1,700 – Hr 3,400) or community service from 40 to 60 hours.
If the persecution against participants in the educational process is committed by a minor or a minor aged 14-16 years, his parents face a fine of from 50 to 100 non-taxable minimums (from Hr 850 to Hr 1,700).
And if a group of minors or minors aged 14–16 years engages in bullying, an administrative penalty for their parents will be 100–200 non-taxable minimums (Hr 1,700 – Hr 3,400).
If the head of the educational institution does not inform the police about the cases of bullying, he faces a fine of 50-100 non-taxable minimums (from Hr 850 to Hr 1,700) or community service for one month and 20 percent wage deduction.
The law will take effect the day after publication.
A non-taxable minimum in Ukraine is Hr 17.
