All children in Sweden have the right to education. This is guaranteed to them in both Swedish law and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. While children are in school, they must be protected from various forms of abusive treatment and discrimination (known as bullying). This protection is very important because children in Sweden not only have a right to education but also an obligation to participate in it. Despite the statutory protection against harassment, many children are subjected to such harassment during and after school hours. The abuse can take the form of both physical and psychological violence and have both short-term and long-term consequences for the children involved.

The idea of this research project is to examine the legal responsibility of schools to protect children from abusive treatment in schools. In the research project, relevant legal sources will be studied together with both court practice and authority decisions. A study of all cases received and decided by the Ombudsperson for Children and Pupils during one year will also be made to further examine the practical application of the law. Based on these studies, it is hoped that the project will deepen the understanding of how children who have suffered violations are treated by schools, authorities and courts. The idea is also that the research will form the basis for discussions on how the law can and should be reformed to strengthen children's right to safe schooling and participation in cases of abuse that concern them.