LETTER Which parents would not be enthusiastic when their 8-year old child eagerly opt to follow the footsteps of her older siblings? They had high hopes that this school would be able to mould their child to be the “anak solehah” they had always dream of. The older siblings did not have any problems at their school so the parents had full confidence that this younger child would be just as fairly treated. Instead of joy, anguish awaits the family. They came to us as a last resort after going to one authority to another and after writing to 62 organisations and individuals including SUHAKAM and the Menteri Besar’s office. You can see and hear the pain in their eyes and voice as they recount the moment their child sobbed on how she was physically, mentally and emotionally abused by a group of children of a religious school.
Within the short period of six weeks, Nur, a former student of an Islamic religious school in the Klang Valley, was punched and kicked in the face, chest, abdomen and suprapubic region by other young female students. She forced to eat lizards and frightened into thinking that she was abandoned by her family. As a consequence, Adek became frightened, tearful and distrustful towards people in general. Hoping for support and justice for their child, the parents sought the assistance of relevant authorities including Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat and religious Departments but the responses they received were very disappointing. The incidents were either denied or trivialised, and to the extent of threatening to take action against the parents if the abuse incidents repeat. They were also discouraged from publicising the incident claiming it would embarrassed muslims.
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Bullying among school children is becoming rampant. Research showed that bullying not only affect the bully and the victim but also the witnesses and their families. The after effect may persist for a long time; not just the family concerned but society as a whole.
The Convention of the Rights of the Child, which Malaysia ratified in 1995, calls for the protection of children from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. Therefore, we demand that the relevant authorities fulfil their commitment to uphold this treaty by ensuring a safe environment for children, especially in places of education. Prevent such bullying incidents from happening by not condoning violence and making perpetrators accountable; regardless of their age. Institutions that turned the other cheek using the perpetrators’ young age as an excuse for not taking action, are only sowing seeds for future violent behaviours. Monitor such institutions and close those down if need be. Send the right message to others by subscribing to a non-negotiable stand that children must be treated with utmost respect. Sensitivity among the service providers towards the victim and her family is paramount as it is a reflection of society’s commitment towards a loving, compassionate and non-violent society.
The public must always be made aware that such incidents happened, hence relevant authorities should not try to sweep the problem under the carpet. Religion and race should not be used as an excuse to force victims and their families into submissiveness. People must be told of their right to live in a safe environment and the State be taken to task if they fail to provide it. Do not wait until the victim is badly beaten or dead before taking action. Nip it in the bud!
Haslinah Binti Yacob
PRESIDENT
PUSAT JANADIRI INOVASI WANITA (PuJI WANITA)
Formerly known as Women For Equality Association (WEA)
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