Victims' compensation claims rise 225%

A Welsh council has been forced to pay £20,000 to a woman who suffered seven years of bullying when she was in primary school. The out of court settlement to Sophie Amor was in recompense for the seven years of victimisation she suffered, which she says have marked her for life.

The huge award is a sign of the time, says insurance company Zurich, which this week reports that compensation claims over school bullying have risen 225% in the past five years. '

Bullying is clearly a very serious issue for schools,' said a spokesperson for the insurer. 'In many cases, the victim can be so scared or traumatised, it can be several years after an incident has actually taken place before a claim is made, which clearly has an effect on carrying out an investigation.'

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