When did bullying become something to be proud of?
In a video that has recently gone viral, three boys were filmed beating a classmate for over a minute–shocking that the video was taken by the perpetrators themselves. It makes one question the state of today’s youth–when did confidence to record one’s own bad behaviour become an ‘in’ thing? Is bullying suddenly a heroic act, one worthy of publicity?
The incident occurred in class where the perpetrators had purportedly just completed a lesson. The three students who are all 15 years of age are seen bashing their classmate in the clip. These kids are said to be from SM Tun Hussein Onn, Seberang Jaya, Malaysia.
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The online police
Unsurprisingly, the matter was brought to the attention of the relevant authorities only after the video was put up on YouTube. Concerned netizens brought it to the attention of the police by sharing the video on the Polis Diraja Malaysia Facebook page. Once again, through the collective act of the online community, incidents which had previously gone unnoticed or swept in the corner are now being brought to light.
According to Central Seberang Prai district OCPD Asst Comm Azman Abd Lah, the victim did not lodge a report but “we filed our own report based on the incident which was featured on the Internet. We view such cases seriously and will take the necessary action to ensure such incidences do not recur.”
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Recording everything for posterity
The video is one minute and 32 second long and features three boys who take turns hitting another boy who does not retaliate even once. The attack consisted of punches and blows to the head and abdomen. The boys used their arms, elbows and legs to inflict pain on their class chairman. It is not revealed why they did this but according to Penang Education Department Director, Ahmad Tarmizi Kamaruddin, the students were upset with the victim. It is however, known that the victim had allegedly ‘told’ on them to the teacher after noticing them smoking in school.
Watch the video here:
A show of strength or cowardice?
Was it a retaliatory attack? Or maybe it was a show of strength to make an example of the student? Whatever their motivation was, the boys were clearly displaying cowardice instead of bravery and strength. First of all, they went straight to physical violence to settle whatever differences they might have had with the victim and secondly, it was an unmatched fight. It was three against one and even then, the victim did not fight back. If anything, it showed a lack of maturity and respect along with a good dose of foolishness that deserves to be punished.
The latest report from Edvantage shows that all three of the school bullies have been expelled for their alleged assault. While this is not less than what they deserve, we should also think about other ways the boys’ behaviour can be remedied so that such an incident doesn’t happen again.
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Methods to combat bullying in school
It is important to realise that most bullies resort to violence or hurting someone to solve their own problems or their own self-esteem issues. The best way to prevent bullying is dealing with the root of the problem.
- Start an anti-violence programme in your school to educate students on the harms of all kinds of bullying–physical, verbal, emotional and online.
- Before sentencing the bullies to suspension or expulsion, consider sending them for counselling. This will help them understand why they are resorting to bullying or physical violence to solve their problem.
- Create an environment of empathy and activism. This will help the school community stand up to bullies instead of just feigning ignorance which can be just as detrimental as the act of bullying.