DOJ Urges Bullied Students Not to Suffer in Silence, Seek Authority's Help

Children who are victims of bullying should not try to seek retribution from their tormentors by themselves but should seek the assistance of persons in authority or other responsible adults, the Department of Justice (DOJ) stressed. This was underscored by Justice Undersecretary Ian Norman Dato during the recent Anti-Bullying Information Workshop at Bagong Tanyag Integrated School (BTIS) in Taguig City. The workshop was organized following several shooting incidents in schools that resulted in deaths and injuries of students. Bullying and school violence have become very serious problems, prompting the House of Representatives to pass a bill declaring September as National Bullying Awareness Month. One suspect reportedly claimed his action was in retaliation for the bullying he was getting in school. "Do not try to fight back [when bullied]," Dato told the audience, primarily composed of Grades 7 and 9 students and their parents. "Trust in the process." He assured them that both the Departments of Education and Justice have people and strategies to address the growing problem of bullying and school violence. Schools have teachers, guidance counselors, and other experts to assist victims, while DOJ prosecutors step in when the offense violates laws. Free legal assistance is also available. Dato added that parents should actively participate in the campaign against bullying. They should be proactive, monitoring their children for signs of bullying, rather than re-active—acting only after serious harm had occurred. BTIS principal Donnabel Balantac said parents have to know the signs of bullying and help their children deal with the problem. The justice official stressed that, under the law, bullying committed within a two-kilometer radius of a school is still considered an offense that the school could and should act on. He explained that bullying, as defined under Republic Act 10627, the Anti-Bullying Act signed into law in 2013, could be physical, psychological and/or emotional, verbal, cyber, social (ostracizing the victim), or gender-based. Bullying was also not just a matter between the victim and the bully; it also involved bystanders who witnessed or had personal knowledge of the incident and upstanders, or those who would try to protect or support the bullied. Balantac stressed that bullying should never be tolerated and that respect for one another was needed to create a safer environment for children. "Hindi ka nag-iisa (You are not alone)," Dato reassured bullying victims.