Bullying has become a significant and relevant issue today. Bullying, as it is popularly known, is a series of actions involving directed aggressive behavior and violence (whether verbal, non-verbal, or physical) against an individual.

As briefly explained, bullying is fundamentally a form of violence. It can manifest as physical violence, inappropriate remarks, social actions that tend to alienate, discriminate against, or demean one party, and even—with technological advancements and open digital spaces—through cyber attacks ranging from comments to sending malware to harm an individual or group.

Bullying can stem from the motivations or background of an individual or group who holds different views or perceives a disconnect with the ideals or lifestyle of another person or group. Bullying occurs in various environments and can happen to anyone.

Although the severity of bullying can be subjective from one party to another, the majority of cases arise from small or even trivial matters. Bullying that has occurred does not simply disappear with the passage of time. Its effects vary among individuals, such as:

1. A loss or decline in the interest to learn and work.

2. A decrease in self-confidence and openness to communication.

3. A loss of trust in social spaces and a desire to withdraw from one's surroundings.

4. Based on various psychological studies, bullying also has the potential to leave prolonged trauma if not resolved peacefully.

Friends of UNDIRA (Kawan UNDIRA) are surely familiar with or have noted several bullying cases that have occurred in various regions, each with different outcomes and backgrounds. Of the many visible cases, we were recently presented with news of an explosion at a school in Jakarta, which, according to several reports, was motivated by revenge from a bullying victim.

Friends of UNDIRA, Indonesia has indeed established various regulations to minimize and prevent acts of bullying, both offline and online. Several of these we can learn from include: The ITE Law (Electronic Information and Transactions Law), which regulates the use of technology and digital spaces as well as its ethical practices; Law No. 35 of 2014 concerning Child Protection; and the implementation of anti-harassment, violence, and sexual crime task forces.

Bullying can form from the smallest patterns and in the smallest of scopes. Observing the impact and motivations behind the bullying we have known, it is imperative that we prevent it from happening. Several steps can be taken to prevent these undesirable events, such as:

1. Engaging in heart-to-heart communication, not just to calm, but also to understand each other's conditions.

2. Understanding the environment around the victim of bullying.

3. Avoiding judgment of others' conditions and thoughts. Remember, Friends of UNDIRA, we live on the same earth and under the same sky—let us develop an integrated life ecosystem.

4. Building empathy—in social life, we will encounter various individuals with diverse ideologies and perceptions. Therefore, let us appreciate differences with open-mindedness.

Universitas Dian Nusantara (UNDIRA) responds to the issue of bullying with utmost seriousness, manifested through the establishment of the Task Force for the Prevention and Handling of Higher Education Violence (Satgas PPKPT). As proof of this commitment, the UNDIRA Satgas PPKPT has acted proactively. On July 14, 2025, the Satgas PPKPT also held an important educational outreach regarding the "5 university sins." This activity represents a form of care and a strategic step by the university to minimize bullying practices and prevent sexual violence on campus.

This initiative affirms UNDIRA's tangible efforts to protect the entire academic community. Together with the knowledge and awareness of the effects of bullying, let us create a learning and academic environment that is safe, peaceful, and professional for all parties.