Ministry of Social Affairs Promotes Anti-Bullying and Violence Campaign

Bekasi (September 30, 2024) – Pangudi Luhur Integrated Center (STPL) of the Ministry of Social Affairs in Bekasi once again held a social campaign to prevent bullying and violence through STPL Goes to School program, on Monday (September 30, 2024).

The campaign was held at SDN Sumur Batu II, Sumur Batu District, Bekasi City. SDN Sumur Batu II is the fourth location where STPL Goes to School was held.

"There are two formats in implementing this campaign. There is one that provides material in class, and the other is by playing. At SDN Sumur Batu II, there are four classes," said Head of the Pangudi Luhur Center, Wahyu Dewanto, in Bekasi (September 30, 2024).

So far, the campaign to prevent bullying and violence has been implemented in four locations, namely SMPN 8 Kota Bekasi, SMPN 4 Bekasi, SMPN 1 Sukatani, and the latest at SDN Sumur Batu II which was also attended by Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf or often called Gus Ipul.

STPL Bekasi plans to continue the campaign in schools in Karawang in October 2024.

STPL Goes to School program is motivated by the increasing level of violence in schools, both sexual violence and bullying of children. Some of this is because they do not understand how to make friends healthily.

This campaign is to prevent these things from happening to children.

In the prevention campaign, the team from STPL Bekasi consisting of social counselors, social workers, and psychologists work together to provide an understanding to prevent bullying. STPL even collaborates with health workers to provide a more concrete explanation of the impact of sexual violence.

Various materials such as an introduction to forms of sexual violence and bullying are delivered in the campaign so that students can recognize forms of harassment and bullying, how to avoid and report it to teachers or family. In addition, an understanding is also provided that bullying and sexual violence can happen to anyone, therefore they must be vigilant.

Delivering material to a variety of age groups certainly requires different delivery methods. Therefore, the team from STPL Bekasi interestingly packages the material, adjusting to their age. For example, when providing material to students of SDN Sumur Batu II, STPL team delivers the material by singing songs, telling stories, and playing games that are easily understood by children of their age. Meanwhile, for junior high school children, of course, it is also adjusted to the language that is more acceptable to them.

In addition to family, school is one of the important factors in preventing bullying and violence. An active role is needed for schools in campaigning against bullying and violence, both verbally and physically.

The Principal of SDN Sumur Batu II, Tanti Setiyarini, said that she and other teachers have been carrying out anti-bullying efforts both in the form of posters and verbally.

 "We have put up posters to prevent bullying. We always remind children not to commit violence against friends because bullying is not only physical but also verbal. We always remind them," said Tanti.