What Would You Do If You Saw Someone Being Bullied At School?

Main image via Free Malaysia Today

No parent likes to think about their child being bullied; or worse, being a bully. Unfortunately, the fact is, eight out of 10 children in Malaysia have encountered some sort of bullying at school.

The Star reported that a Children4Change survey was conducted as part of the Kindness Project by the education ministry, Unicef and WOMEN:girls in conjunction with World Children’s Day, which was celebrated yesterday (20 Nov).

via GIPHY

The survey, which involved more than 2,000 children below the age of 18 nationwide, was conducted to better understand children’s experiences of bullying from a bystander, victim and bully’s standpoints, and to determine types of intervention methods that would help create a safer environment for children.

So, what did the study find? 70% of children said that they have witnessed a peer being made fun of for how they looked, dressed, or walked.

Image via The Star

“One boy shared that he had witnessed ‘someone being told to kill themselves because they suck’, while a teenage girl disclosed that ‘sexual images were taken of me without consent’,” said the study.

When asked what would make them feel safe from bullying, almost 70% said a national law against bullying is necessary, while others cited the need for awareness and education programmes in addition to an anti-bullying policy in schools.

via GIPHY

In a statement, Unicef representative to Malaysia, Marianne Clark-Hattingh, said that by discouraging children from speaking up, it makes them more vulnerable to violence and its consequences: “We tend to underestimate the impact of bullying on children and to belittle its effects.”

Bullying, no matter how minor it may seem, should not be brushed off. It’s not as convenient as “Aiyah, just forget about it lah. He/she will leave you alone.” It’s an act that can leave a lasting scar on the victim, affecting their future; so shame on you, bullies.

Info via The Star and Free Malaysia Today