Silence is NOT Golden: Speaking Out Against Bullying

Dewi’s heart aches when learning about the widespread incidents of student bullying in the country. As a psychologist at the Student Mental Health and Wellbeing Support (SMHWS) at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS), she vehemently condemns the actions of bullies who victimize the vulnerable. “It is truly alarming. Bullying knows no age, gender, or specific location. It can occur anywhere,” expressed Dewi Setyaningrum, S.Psi, M.Psi, Psycholog, during an interview on Wednesday (21/2/2024).

Bullying is an action carried out by an individual or a group to target specific parties, often stemming from an imbalance of power between the bullies and the victim. The motivation behind bullying is often rooted in the perception that the bullies believe they hold more strength and power, enabling them to oppress individuals they consider weaker.

Dewi explained that bullying can be classified into two types: physical and non-physical. Physical bullying involves direct physical contact, such as hitting, biting, kicking, and scratching. Non-physical bullying, on the other hand, typically occurs through verbal or nonverbal means. Verbal bullying involves mocking, making fun, threatening, insulting, and cursing. Nonverbal bullying can take the form of neglect, which consists of isolating the victim, excluding them from the group, and subjecting them to discriminatory treatment.

Bullying has extended into cyberspace, providing opportunities for harassment by strangers who are unknown to the victim. “Nowadays, we also have cyberbullying. Bullies exploit internet platforms, SMS, WhatsApp, and email services as mediums for bullying. This is often aimed at humiliating or tarnishing the image of another person,” Dewi elaborated.

Bullying is a common problem among students in Indonesia, from elementary to high school levels. Although bullying can happen in other settings, it is most prevalent in primary and secondary education.

According to the United Federation of Indonesian Teachers (FSGI), as compiled by Republika, there were 30 reported cases of bullying in Indonesia in 2023. This is an increase from the 23 cases reported in 2022. According to Databoks by Katadata, FSGI highlighted that 80% of these cases occurred in educational institutions under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, with the remaining 20% in schools under the Ministry of Religious Affairs. The report specified that 50% of bullying incidents occurred in junior high school or equivalent, 30% in elementary or equivalent, and 10% each in high school and vocational school.

Five years before the report was released, UNICEF researched bullying in Indonesia. The 2018 report identified six common forms of bullying experienced by Indonesian students: having items taken or damaged, being ridiculed, having bad rumors spread, being ostracized, being physically assaulted or coerced, and facing threats. According to a report by Databoks from Katadata, UNICEF has highlighted that 41% of 15-year-old Indonesian students experience bullying multiple times a month.

Dewi sees bullying cases as similar to icebergs in the ocean. The bullying incidents that are made public only represent a small fraction of the actual occurrences. According to the psychologist at Student Mental Health and Wellbeing Support (SMHWS) at UMS, many other cases of bullying remain undisclosed to the public. “From an external perspective, it may seem limited, but it is quite extensive. It’s just that many cases haven’t been brought to public awareness,” she explained.

Bullies may underestimate the impact of their actions in undermining the victim’s self-esteem. However, the trauma experienced by the victim is incomparable to the actions of the bully. The lasting effects of trauma remain in the victim’s mind and can last for the rest of their life.

Dewi highlighted a spectrum of effects that victims of bullying may face, ranging from mild to severe. These include a lack of confidence, diminished enthusiasm, and low self-esteem. Additionally, victims may grapple with psychological issues such as anxiety, psychosomatic disorders, traumatic disorders, and other psychological challenges.

“It is feared that if the victim is not treated immediately, they may become a bully in the future,” Dewi worries.

One severe consequence of bullying is a psychotic disorder, a psychological condition that affects the victim’s mind. This disorder may involve delusions, hallucinations, and disruptive behavior that can interfere with the victim’s daily life. Another detrimental effect is depression, which, if left untreated, can escalate to suicide attempts.

“Victims of bullying are also prone to depression and an increased risk of suicide if not treated promptly. The victim may also have a tendency to self-harm,” Dewi emphasized.

Rising from adversity is the first step victims can take, as Dewi suggests. If the victim feels “capable,” they can try to project confidence. Dewi recommends that the victim to be assertive when interacting with the bullies.

“The victim should present themselves as a resilient individual without resorting to violence in retaliation against the bullies. Avoid responding with emotions that convey a reluctance to be victimized,” she explained.

Suppose the victim finds it difficult to take such steps. In that case, the SMHWS UMS counselor suggests that the victim confides in a trusted person about the bullying.

“If the bullying occurs in a formal setting, such as a school or office, the victim can report the case to authorities such as the human resources department or a counselor. If available,” seeking support from psychological services is also an option,” Dewi added.

If the victim’s psychological condition continues to deteriorate and begins to disrupt their daily life, Dewi stressed the importance of seeking professional help immediately. Professional help can aid in the recovery process and address the victim’s psychological challenges.

On the other hand, Dewi emphasized the importance of offering psychological help to the bullies. This is crucial because bullies are likely to have underlying mental health problems that contribute to their bullying behavior. “Victims of bullying can turn into bullies if not treated appropriately. Therefore, the bully may be actually a victim of bullying who is struggling with mental or psychological disorders,” she continued.

Concrete steps to eradicate bullying need to be taken immediately, says Dewi. She believes that it is crucial to promote sensitivity to changes in the behavior of individuals who may be experiencing bullying. This is an important first step in preventing the various negative effects described above. Some of the actions that need to be taken include:

1. The fundamental step begins within the family. One of the contributing factors to bullying is parenting. Parenting significantly influences children’s behavior within their social circles. Therefore, parents and families must establish effective communication with children and serve as positive role models for them.
2. Early detection of bullying is crucial. When bullying is identified early, timely assistance can be offered to prevent the potentially severe consequences of bullying. Early detection can be facilitated using tools like the Olweus Bullying Questionnaire (OBQ), which involves looking for changes in behavior that appear uncharacteristic.
   
3. Parents and teachers must remain sensitive to every child’s behavior. It is important not to underestimate behavior that may actually be bullying.
   
4. Promote anti-bullying prevention programs and introduce sanctions for bullies. According to Dewi, stakeholders should work to create a healthy school culture and identify both internal and external factors that contribute to bullying.

Concrete steps have also been taken by UMS, such as introducing SMHWS as a free counseling service for UMS students. The presence of SMHWS offers psychological and mental support for UMS students, enabling them to pursue their activities without being hindered by psychological problems. SMHWS is available every Monday to Friday from 08.00 to 14.00 WIB. “Don’t hesitate to seek help from professionals if you encounter problems that you find challenging to overcome on your own,” urged Dewi.

Dewi acknowledges that bullying persists despite various efforts to raise awareness about it in different settings. She mentioned that policymakers have indeed taken multiple steps to prevent bullying. “Efforts have been made, but the results are not yet optimal. This should be our collective responsibility,” concluded Dewi.

Writer: Gede Arga Adrian

Editor: Al Habiib Josy Asheva

Translator: Farizal Luqman Majid