More than 5,000 school bullying cases have been recorded as of August

KUCHING, Oct. 21: Bullying at state educational institutions was described as critical when more than 5,000 cases were reported in schools across the country for the period January to August this year.

Director of the Human Resilience and Potential Centre (HRPC), Faculty of Cognitive Sciences and Human Development, University of Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Professor Madya Dr. Sopian Bujang said that family background and power imbalances are among the main factors influencing bullying behavior among students.

According to him, various profiling studies have found that a dysfunctional household environment is often among the triggers of aggressive behaviour in schools.

"Often identified factors include children of divorced parents, abandoned children, and students who experience a lack of affection despite their material needs being met.

"In some cases, bullying is done as a channel to release feelings or get attention from others", she said while being a panelist on the recent TVS programme Dialogue.

I'm going to see Dr. Sopian explained that exposure to domestic violence or abuse also leads to negative behaviour being taught at home and brought into the school environment.

Commenting on the dynamics of fan groups, he said that such acts were usually led by a leading individual who was supported by other members due to peer pressure.

"In a fanatic group, there are key individuals who initiate the act, while other members follow because they want to be accepted into the group.

"Unlike regular fights in which both sides feel they have the same strength, bullying involves an imbalance of power.

"The voters are in the dominant position and will continue to repeat their efforts for satisfaction if no resolution action is taken", he explained. - TVS