KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 22): The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry (KPWKM) will reveal the findings of a study on bullying conducted through the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) as early as this week or next week.

Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the study was among more than 80 studies conducted in collaboration with universities to identify suitable approaches to address the issue, 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 told reporters after the recording of Bernama TV’s Ruang Bicara programme at Wisma Bernama on Thursday.

Nancy said the ministry was also stepping up advocacy efforts in schools in collaboration with various parties, including the police and relevant experts, to raise awareness of child safety and how to seek help when faced with 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 to ensure pupils knew whom they could trust to seek help.

“The existing advocacy module will also 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 had previously targeted the implementation of advocacy programmes in 300 schools, but the target had not yet been met. Efforts would continue, alongside improvements to the relevant modules.

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