The Sverdlovsk Regional Court reported a notable ruling regarding a bullying case at Yushalinskaya school number 25. In this instance, a 13-year-old pupil faced humiliation and physical aggression from classmates, prompting a formal complaint from the girl’s mother. The incident unfolded in April 2022, and the environment in the classroom grew tense after a confrontation escalated into a fight involving several students. Following the incident, the girl’s parents contacted law enforcement and notified the Talitsky Urban District Education Department. Police officials decided not to initiate criminal proceedings because the alleged aggressor was underage at the time, and the threshold for prosecuting a minor had not been met.
The mother decided to pursue legal action to secure damages, filing a lawsuit against the parents of the student who participated in the attack. The claim sought compensation totaling 150,000 rubles for the girl and for the mother herself. During the court hearing, a school representative who attended the proceedings confirmed that a classroom altercation had occurred and that the classroom teacher had received disciplinary consequences as a result. The court ultimately refused to award damages from the alleged aggressor’s parents. Instead, it ruled that the school itself bore responsibility for non-pecuniary damages arising from the incident and awarded compensation on that basis. The school sought to limit its liability to a portion of the claimed amount.
In the court’s decision, the school was ordered to provide 40,000 rubles for the harm suffered by the little girl and an additional 20,000 rubles for the distress experienced by the mother. Additionally, the ruling included an award of 30,000 rubles to cover the plaintiff’s legal expenses. Although the opposing side attempted to appeal, the higher court upheld the initial decision, reinforcing the school’s accountability in this instance. The result underscored a clear expectation that educational institutions may bear responsibility for safeguarding students from bullying and for addressing the emotional toll that such incidents can impose on families involved in the case.
This case also reflects broader policy discussions. Earlier figures in the State Duma proposed introducing fines for the parents of bullies, signaling a push toward stronger parental accountability in school safety matters. The Sverdlovsk ruling aligns with a growing emphasis on school-based responsibility in protecting students from harassment, while also highlighting the limitations of criminal enforcement in cases involving minors. The decision illustrates how civil remedies can function as a mechanism for redress in instances where schools fail to prevent or adequately respond to bullying, even when more punitive legal options are not available against the underage aggressor. The court’s reasoning suggests that non-pecuniary damages can be an appropriate and effective means of recognizing the harm experienced by students and their families, and of compelling schools to maintain safer, more supportive environments for all learners. The outcome serves as a precedent in similar regional contexts where the balance between child rights, parental accountability, and institutional responsibility remains a central concern.