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‘#JusticeForAudrey’: Does the state really side with the victim?
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Illustration of bullying (Shutterstock/EstherQueen999)
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ullying — physical and verbal intimidation — and violence are not merely playground scuffles. The violence and the imbalance of power between victims and perpetrators becomes a time bomb if they are not addressed immediately and thoroughly.
Many studies have shown that victims of bullying can potentially experience lifelong mental health problems such as depression and anxiety, while bullies can continue with their aggressive and delinquent behavior.
Today, we are again seeing bullying cases that involve underage victims and perpetrators. We are faced with the dilemma of enforcing the law and Law No. 35/2014 on child protection.
An outraged and shocked public has demanded law enforcement agencies and other institutions to ignore the perpetrators’ age to ensure “justice for Audrey”, the latest victim in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, who is being treated for severe injuries she suffered when she was assaulted and tortured by fellow high school students.
