"The steps that must be taken when you become a victim of bullying are, among others, reporting it to the closest adults, such as teachers and parents," the ministry's deputy for special protection of children, Nahar, said when contacted here on Thursday.
He made the statement in response to a case involving violence against a student at a high school in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, which is suspected to have stemmed from bullying.
Bullying victims can also file a complaint with the nearest Regional Technical Implementation Unit for the Protection of Women and Children (UPTD PPA) or to the ministry's SAPA 129 complaint channel via hotline 129 or the WhatsApp number +628-111-129-129.
Nahar said that his ministry has continued to educate children, parents, and teachers about the risk of bullying in an effort to prevent the practice among students.
The ministry has also reevaluated factors that can cause children to perpetrate or fall victim to bullying, such as communication and parenting styles, relations, and peer influence.
It is also monitoring information and content on media to ensure it remains child-friendly.
He added that the ministry is also evaluating school climates and environments.
According to him, if the school climate is positive, the potential for bullying is lower. However, if the school climate is negative, the potential for bullying is higher.
"School's conditions that do not support students' comfort at school allow bullying to occur," he said.
A negative school climate involves, among other things, teachers not thoroughly supervising students during free time or break time, teachers not caring for students or bullying them, and other students ignoring bullying and not reporting it to teachers when they witness it.
It further includes lack of information regarding bullying, which leads to students being bullied in school.
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Translator: Anita Permata, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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