Bullying in M'sia must be addressed urgently - Unicef

Bullying must be addressed with urgency, warned the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), emphasising that it poses serious risks to the safety and well-being of children in Malaysia.

Unicef representative to Malaysia Robert Gass expressed deep concern and sadness over recent reports of bullying among children.

He stressed that no child should ever fear for their safety at school, and no parent should worry that they may not see their child return home.

“Schools must be safe, joyful spaces where children learn, grow, and build friendships with dignity and respect,” he said in a statement today.

Gass noted that children themselves have consistently voiced their fears about bullying.

In Unicef’s 2017 survey, bullying was identified as one of their biggest concerns, while the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2022 revealed that 8.6 percent of children reported being bullied.

Gass further added that Unicef consultations with children highlight the need for safer reporting channels, stronger school policies, and teachers who can respond with empathy.

Recent incidents reported in the media, he said, underscore the urgent need to strengthen Malaysia’s child protection system to prevent and respond effectively to violence, exploitation, neglect, and abuse, both online and offline.

“This includes investing in professional social workers and the wider social service workforce, such as school counsellors,” he said.

Bullying demands solutions, not just blame

Gass commended the government and partners for acting against violence towards children, but stressed that stronger child-centred policies, better protection systems, and a culture of care in classrooms are still needed.

“Above all, these efforts must uphold every child’s right to safety, dignity, and education free from fear,” he said.

He urged the narrative to move beyond blame to solutions, reminding that children who bully are still children whose rights must be upheld and actions addressed through guidance and due process.

Unicef reaffirmed its readiness to support the government in ensuring that bullying has no place in Malaysia.

“Every child has the right to be safe, valued, and protected in every space where they belong. Protecting these rights is not just an obligation under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, but a promise we must keep,” Gass added.

- Bernama

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