More than 2,000 school pupils have taken part in a survey designed to shape a strategy to combat bullying.
Moray Council launched the online questionnaire last month, asking youngsters to anonymously disclose whether they or their friends had been victimised in the classroom or playground.
The local authority said a “wide range of views and experiences” had been collated in the most far-reaching survey it has ever carried out.
Questions were aimed at pupils from P4-S6, but some younger children also responded.
They were quizzed on 20 issues, including whether they had been victims of violence, malicious rumours, racist insults or theft.
The questionnaire was also designed to establish if incidents were reported to the school and how well any complaints were handled.
A council spokesman said: “We had no idea what level of response to expect, and we are very encouraged by the number of pupils who have contributed.
“In one day alone we had 350 responses, and although all the results still have to be analysed, the indications are that they represent a wide range of views and experiences.
“Schools themselves played a big part by allowing pupils to complete the survey in school time and by offering help to those pupils who needed it.”
It is hoped that the findings will reveal how widespread the problem of bullying is in Moray’s schools, and they will play a crucial part in creating a region-wide anti-bullying policy.