The survey, of around 7,000 young people found that bullying by adults was just as common as bullying by other young people, with black African and Caribbean children and those with disabilities more likely to be victims.
Of all those surveyed, 23 per cent said they had been bullied, picked on or treated unfairly by adults. However, the figure was 29 per cent among black African and Caribbean children, 18 per cent among white young people and 38 per cent among those with disabilities.
Among those with learning difficulties, 35 per cent said they had been treated in this way by adults.
One 14-year-old respondent told the charity: "I often feel bullied by adults in my area. I sometimes feel I am not listened to, both at school and at home. I try my best to make myself heard but most of the time I just end up frustrated and it lands me in trouble. It's hard being a teenager."
Children's Society chief excecutive Bob Reitemeier said: "With a quarter of all children telling us they have been bullied or treated unfairly either by peers or adults over a twelve month period, it is vital that more is done to support young people who are being victimised in this way.
"These statistics demonstrate that children and young people need to be listened to and adults should think about their behaviour towards the younger generation."
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