BULLYING is a form of violence being experienced by three out of five Filipino children, according to the 2015 National Baseline Study on Violence against Children of the Council for the Welfare of Children. It is commonly perpetrated by schoolmates and close friends and considered to be part of having “fun” among friends. But bullying is still a form of violence and has physical and psychological effects on the child being bullied, the child who committed the bullying and those who have witnessed it.
Parents and school authorities should look into the causes of a child’s misbehavior such as bullying to address violence against children in all settings. Adults should know that interventions must be on both the child who is the target of bullying and the one who commits the bullying.
Regarding the bullying incident at the Ateneo, the circulation and sharing of the video on social media is disturbing. Bullying should be taken seriously and immediately addressed by the school or community, and by the families of the children who are involved.
Cases of bullying should be reported to proper authorities. In school, the matter can be reported to a teacher or guidance counselor based on the school’s procedures in handling cases of bullying as mandated by Republic Act No. 10627 or the Anti-Bullying Act, and by the Department of Education’s Child Protection Policy (Department Order No. 40 s.2012).
A child might bully another due to difficulties in managing anger, aggression, non-tolerance for individual differences, experiences of violence at home, or the lack of good role models at home.
It is important for adults to be good role models to children. “Positive discipline” or establishing a warm, nurturing and supportive environment at home can help prevent bullying from happening. Parents need to find the time to build a loving relationship with their children, and provide them the necessary guidance for them to grow up to be caring and non-violent individuals, and not children who accept that it is alright to hurt others.
