Peer Social Support for Adolescent Victims of Bullying

Abstract

Bullying in schools generally occurs during adolescence Bullying has a negative impact on victims which can interfere with their activities as students at school and at home. Peers are the closest environment that is able to provide social support for students who are victims of bullying. This study discusses peer social support for adolescent victims of bullying. It is a qualitative study that utilizes case studies design through literature review, documentation, and interview techniques. The objective is to provide an overall picture of bullying behavior that occurs in State Junior High School X (SMPN X) and shed some light on the form of peer social support that is available for adolescent victims of bullying. The results of the study show that victims students are considered weak and unable to fight back.  They repeatedly received various forms of physical, verbal and non-verbal violence  from students in class and from seniors . Students who are victims of bullying do not report to their parents or teachers at school because they are afraid that they will get more severe treatment from the perpetrators. Although the school has established regulations concerning sanctions for bullying, there has been inconsistency in implementing these regulations. The Counseling Guidance teacher available to assist students who experience bullying, there is a need for a report from the victim. The study reveals that peer support plays a significant role in providing social support that encompasses informative support among others, by providing information to teachers about bullying faced by victims. so that the victim student is assisted by the school. Instrumental support by defending the victim when the perpetrators start to harass the victim by providing ways to fight offenders or ignore perpetrators. Emotional support by being a place to share. With this social support, victims feel there are friends who help find solutions, restore self-confidence and return to social functioning in their environment.