PETALING JAYA: "Listen to the children." This is the plea from over 40 activists and experts who are urging for evidence-based preventive strategies rather than solely punitive measures to address bullying in schools.
"We are concerned that current measures by the government primarily focus on punitive approaches. While an ‘Anti-Bullying Act’ with a tribunal may be beneficial, it won't effectively tackle the endemic problem of bullying. It's crucial to consider children's perspectives," the group stated on Saturday (Aug 23).
The statement, endorsed by 44 civil society groups, paediatric specialists, and child rights advocates, suggests that relevant agencies should examine research and approaches from other countries instead of implementing untested measures.
According to data from Unicef's Children4Change survey and the National Health and Morbidity Survey, 3 in 4 children have experienced bullying in the classroom, with 1 in 6 being bullied in the last 30 days.
"Our children worry more about bullying (7 out of 10) compared to children in Japan (3 out of 10) or the United Kingdom (4 out of 10). The issue is substantial and has not received adequate attention for years," the group added.
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The group highlighted that many bullies have faced violence and bullying at home, which manifests in school behavior.
"It is not sufficient to just look at the behavior. Addressing the underlying motives is necessary. All bullies should be evaluated for abuse at home. Bullying is not just a school issue," they emphasized.
The group recommended adopting the multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) model as an effective framework for bullying prevention in the country.
MTSS includes three tiers covering a range of measures, such as individualized support like counseling and family engagement for students involved in bullying.
The group's call follows several high-profile bullying cases. Recently, five teenagers were charged in Kota Kinabalu for verbally abusing 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir, who died on July 17 after allegedly falling from her school's hostel in Papar, Sabah.
Additionally, Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim visited a 10-year-old nasal cancer patient who was severely bullied at two schools. Tunku Ismail has called for a comprehensive anti-bullying campaign in the state, urging firm action against bullying in schools.
Police are also investigating the deaths of two university students at a Setapak condominium for possible bullying links. A 22-year-old woman fell to her death in Taman Melati, followed by a male student from a separate block 14 hours later, after claims of bullying from the female student's mother.
