KUALA LUMPUR: Findings from a study on bullying will be released this week or next, says Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
The Women, Family and Community Development Minister said the study, conducted through the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) in collaboration with universities, aims to identify suitable ways to address bullying, particularly among school students.
She said the ministry took bullying seriously and did not want it to become normalised to the point that victims lived in fear.
"We are very concerned about bullying cases. We do not want this behaviour to become normalised in schools to the extent that those being bullied are afraid. So, we want to find ways to help," she said after the recording of Bernama TV's Ruang Bicara programme at Wisma Bernama today.
Nancy said the ministry was stepping up advocacy efforts in schools with partners including the police and relevant experts to raise awareness of child safety and how to seek help in risky situations.
She said parents played an important role in giving children the confidence to report bullying incidents, while schools needed to strengthen advocacy efforts so pupils knew whom they could trust for help.
"The existing advocacy module will be improved with greater emphasis on bullying, in addition to personal safety, safe and unsafe touch, and awareness of sexual abuse," she said.
Nancy said the ministry previously targeted 300 schools for advocacy programmes, and efforts would continue alongside improvements to the modules. - BERNAMA
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