School Bullying

According to data from cnnindonesia.com, during the January-April 2023 school period, a total of 251 children between the ages of 6 and 12 experienced violence, as reported by the Kementrian Pemberdayaan Perempuan dan Perlindungan Anak (KemenPPPA). The data provided insights into the types of violence and the age distribution of the victims.

Among the elementary school-age victims, 142 were girls, while 109 were boys. The recorded instances of violence included physical violence (99 cases), psychological violence (88 cases), sexual violence (78 cases), exploitation (1 case), neglect (5 cases), and other forms of violence (35 cases).

For children aged 13 to 17, a total of 208 individuals experienced violence, with 106 being female and 102 being male. The reported cases of violence in this age group involved physical violence (51 cases), psychological violence (84 cases), sexual violence (76 cases), exploitation (4 cases), neglect (1 case), and other forms of violence (23 cases).

KemenPPPA also noted incidents of violence involving children under the age of six, although specific data was not provided in the report.

Recently, a tragic incident of violence resulted in the death of a second-grade elementary school student. The victim, identified as MH, aged 9, passed away in a hospital on Saturday, May 20, in Sukaraja Subdistrict, Sukabumi District, West Java. It was alleged that the child had been subjected to bullying by classmates and older students.

According to sources, the beatings occurred on May 15 and 16, 2023, within the school premises. The victim was reportedly bullied by four individuals, including both classmates and seniors. MH eventually confided in someone about the bullying on May 16, after suffering injuries to the chest, back, head, and jaw. Sadly, despite receiving medical treatment, the victim's condition could not be saved.

The Sukabumi Kota Police Satreskrim is currently investigating this tragic incident, and further updates are awaited.

In conclusion, this incident emphasizes the importance of creating a safe and supportive school climate where every child can thrive without fear of harm. Immediate decisive action is needed to prevent further violence and protect the welfare of children in schools. Raising public awareness about this issue is also important, and this incident should trigger a change for the better for the future of children.