Bullying incident

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Sat, 11/24/2007 11:44 AM  |  Opinion

I have experienced bullying since I was in grade five of elementary school. In my opinion, bullying is caused by feelings of superiority and jealousy and following the example set by parents.

How should one deal with bullying? First, you have to ignore the bullies. Later, talk to someone you trust and find a solution to the problem. Before it gets worse, you should tell a teacher but don't report it.

If it gets worse, you can ask your teachers to witness it (a bulling incident). If it becomes really bad and there is no solution, then you must report it to the school but you must first have strong evidence.

I used a recording from my handphone, a printout from Friendster (a social-networking website) and a teacher witness.

I was eventually blamed by the principal, as a parent of the bully reported me and she is a top businesswoman. ALLYSSA
Jakarta

There are certain steps to tackling bullying.

First, uphold law and order based on sternly discouraging acts of bullying. Engage parents. Don't compromise with parents of bullies. Expel bullies from school.

Involve police when bullying occurs in senior high schools to teach them they are almost adults and are not above the law.

Second, provide students with adequate activities like sports, arts etc., for self-expression.

Third, clearly explain to students in workshops what is acceptable and unacceptable. Also, empower the silent majority (other than the bullies and their victims) to speak up against bullying.

Fourth, empower teachers in effective teaching methods. Also maintain an anti-bullying basic training seminar or workshop for teachers. INGGITA
Jakarta

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