---
title: "Bullying at school in Indonesia: warning signs, how to report it and what schools must do"
canonical: https://panduanwarga.org/en/guides/school-bullying-help/
language: en
category: "Education & children"
reviewed: 2026-10-14
modified: 2026-10-14
publisher: "Panduan Warga (independent; not a government website)"
reviewed-by: "Kaiser Khan (https://panduanwarga.org/en/about/kaiser-khan/)"
---

# Bullying at school in Indonesia: warning signs, how to report it and what schools must do

**How do I spot and report bullying at school, and what must the school do?**

Report bullying to the class teacher, the guidance counsellor (guru BK) or the head teacher through the school’s complaints channel; Kemendikdasmen guidance recommends an initial response within 24 hours. Since 9 January 2026, Permendikdasmen 6/2026 on a Safe and Comfortable School Culture has revoked Permendikbudristek 46/2023, so the school TPPK teams and regional task forces have been replaced by regional working groups (Pokja). Violence that breaks the law, such as serious injury, threats, extortion or sexual violence, must be referred by the school to the Pokja and can also be reported directly to the police, a UPTD PPA or SAPA 129.

## What to have ready before reporting

- A record of each incident: date, time, place, what happened, who was involved and who saw it.
- Screenshots of messages, posts or comments if the bullying happened in a chat group or on social media, with the account name, link and time.
- Photos of injuries or damaged belongings, and a note from a puskesmas (community health centre) or doctor if your child was hurt.
- Names and contact numbers for the class teacher, the guidance counsellor (guru BK) and the head teacher.
- The school’s rules and code of conduct, which every school must draw up under Permendikdasmen 6/2026.
- A record of every report you have made: to whom, when and what they said.

## Steps to report bullying

1. **Listen to your child and make sure they are safe.** Let your child talk calmly, believe what they tell you, and do not blame them or tell them to hit back. If there is a serious injury, a threat with a weapon, or your child talks about harming themselves, put safety first: go to an emergency department (IGD) or puskesmas, call the police on 110, or call Kemenkes’s Healing119 on 119 extension 8.
2. **Write down what happened and keep evidence.** Write a timeline while it is fresh and take screenshots before messages are deleted. Do not post videos of the incident or any child’s identity on social media, as this can hurt the victim again and get in the way of the case.
3. **Report it to the school in writing.** Report to the class teacher, guidance counsellor or head teacher through the school’s complaints channel, such as a complaints box, an online form or a text message. The channel must keep the reporter’s identity confidential, and Kemendikdasmen guidance recommends an initial response within 24 hours. Keep proof that you sent the report.
4. **Follow the school’s handling of the case.** Breaches of school rules and the code of conduct are handled by the school through collaborative case handling: the victim is protected first, those involved are interviewed separately, and a written agreement sets out how the victim will be supported and what the perpetrator must do to make amends. Parents may be invited, and the victim only takes part when ready.
5. **Take it to the Pokja if it is serious or the school does nothing.** Breaches of the law must be referred by the head teacher to the regional Safe and Comfortable School Culture working group (Pokja). If the head teacher is the alleged perpetrator, the report is ignored or the school sides with the perpetrator, report directly to the Pokja through the education office: the provincial office for SMA, SMK and special schools (SLB), and the regency or city office for early years, primary (SD) and junior secondary (SMP). Where no Pokja has been set up yet, the education office works with the women’s empowerment and child protection office to do its job.
6. **Involve the police and support services if needed.** For serious injury, threats, extortion or sexual violence, you can report to the nearest police station and ask for support from a UPTD PPA or SAPA 129 (phone 129 or WhatsApp 08-111-129-129). A puskesmas or hospital handles examination of injuries and the medico-legal report (visum), and psychologists can be reached through a puskesmas, a Puspaga family learning centre or a UPTD PPA.

## Cost of reporting

Free. Permendikdasmen 6/2026 sets no charge for reporting to the school, the Pokja or the education office, and the work is funded from the national or regional budget or by the body running the school. Kemenkes’s Healing119 is free, and calls to the police contact centre on 110 are free throughout Indonesia.

Where to report under Permendikdasmen 6/2026 and its guidelines (Kepmendikdasmen 17/2026), checked 14 October 2026. Madrasahs and pesantren come under the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

| Situation | Report to | What should happen |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Occasional insults or teasing between pupils that break school rules or the code of conduct | Class teacher, guidance counsellor or head teacher via the school complaints channel | Handled by the school through collaborative case handling and a written agreement |
| Repeated bullying, intimidation, extortion or threats | The school, which must refer it to the Pokja; families can also report to the police, a UPTD PPA or SAPA 129 | The Pokja checks the report and passes it to the competent authority |
| Serious injury, a threat with a weapon, or sexual violence of any kind | Emergency services or the nearest police station; the school refers it to the Pokja at once | The victim is made safe and kept apart from the alleged perpetrator; visum and support |
| The head teacher is the alleged perpetrator, the report is ignored or the school sides with the perpetrator | The Pokja, through the provincial or regency/city education office | The Pokja handles it directly, not through the school |
| Bullying in a chat group or on social media between members of the school | The school, plus a report of the account or content to the platform | Digital spaces are within the scope of Permendikdasmen 6/2026 |
| No Pokja has been set up in your area yet | The education office, working with the child protection (PPPA) office | The office carries out the Pokja’s coordination and referral role |
| Violence or bullying at a madrasah or pesantren | The head of the institution, Kemenag’s AMAN app, TelePontren (WhatsApp 0822-2666-1854) or the regency/city Kemenag office | For sexual violence, the report is clarified within 24 hours and passed to law enforcement if confirmed (PMA 73/2022) |

Treatment, a medico-legal examination (visum) or further counselling outside government services follows each provider’s own charges. Do not pay anyone who offers to “speed up” the handling of a report.

## Signs that a child is being bullied

Bullying can be physical or psychological. Kemendikdasmen guidance says psychological violence includes exclusion, rejection, being ignored, insults, spreading rumours, mocking names, intimidation, terrorising, public humiliation and extortion, including when done through digital media. Physical violence is any act involving physical contact, with or without an object, that can cause injury.

For early detection, the same guidance asks schools to watch for changes in a pupil’s behaviour: a sharp drop in school performance, frequent lateness or truancy, withdrawing and spending a lot of time alone, injuries or bruises, and unusual emotions such as frequent crying or quick anger. Parents can use the same list at home.

These signs do not always mean bullying, but they are reason enough to ask calmly and contact the class teacher or guidance counsellor. Go to an emergency department or call Kemenkes’s Healing119 on 119 extension 8 (free) at once if your child says they want to harm themselves or is in crisis.

- [Kepmendikdasmen 17/2026: guidelines on a Safe and Comfortable School Culture](https://jdih.kemendikdasmen.go.id/produk-hukum/peraturan-perundang-undangan/keputusan-menteri-pendidikan-dasar-dan-menengah-nomor-17-tahun-2026-tentang-pedoman-penyelenggaraan-budaya-sekolah-aman-dan-nyaman)
- [Kemenkes: the Healing119.id service](https://kesprimkom.kemkes.go.id/konten/158/151/0/cegah-bunuh-diri-dukung-kesehatan-jiwa-kenali-layanan-healing119-id)

## The 2026 rules: Pokja replace TPPK teams and task forces

Permendikdasmen 6/2026 on a Safe and Comfortable School Culture was signed on 8 January 2026 and took effect when it was promulgated on 9 January 2026. It revokes Permendikbudristek 46/2023 on preventing and handling violence in education units. The school violence prevention teams (TPPK) and regional task forces (Satgas) came to an end, but they continue with reports already in progress until a Pokja is formed.

Each Pokja is set up by the governor or regent/mayor, chaired by the regional secretary, with the head of the education office as coordinator. Members come from the education, women’s empowerment and child protection, social affairs, health, population and family planning, and communications offices, and the police may be involved. A Pokja had to be formed within six months of the regulation taking effect. Kemendikdasmen’s BSAN portal shows the status of the Pokja in each area; on 14 October 2026 many areas were still marked “Belum Terbentuk” (not yet formed).

The rules apply inside the school, at learning activities away from school, and in digital spaces linked to education or to social contact between members of the school. Implementation is set out in Kepmendikdasmen 17/2026, the guidelines on running a Safe and Comfortable School Culture.

- [JDIH BPK: Permendikdasmen 6/2026 on a Safe and Comfortable School Culture](https://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Details/345185/permendikdasmen-no-6-tahun-2026)
- [BSAN portal: Pokja status in each area](https://bsan.kemendikdasmen.go.id/kelompok-kerja)

## What schools must do

Schools must carry out regular early detection and provide a complaints channel that is easy to use, including for people with disabilities, keeps the reporter’s identity confidential and goes directly to the head teacher or a designated teacher (Article 12). Kemendikdasmen guidance adds protection for reporters against retaliation and recommends an initial response within 24 hours. Schools must also draw up rules, a code of conduct and standard operating procedures together with the school community.

In SMP, SMA and SMK, the deputy head for student affairs helps coordinate early detection and case handling, and the guidance counsellor coordinates psychosocial support. In early years settings and primary schools, the class teacher is mainly responsible for the class. Breaches of school rules and the code of conduct are handled by the school through collaborative case handling, which puts protecting the victim, teaching the perpetrator about their responsibility and restoring a sense of safety first.

Breaches of the law, such as violence against a child, which Article 76C of the Child Protection Law prohibits, are not settled by the school alone: the head teacher refers them to the Pokja and involves parents when pupils are concerned. Handling a case must not cut off a pupil’s right to education, and anyone found not to have done wrong is entitled to have their name cleared, their rights restored and psychological support (Article 26).

- [Law 35/2014: Articles 54 and 76C of the Child Protection Law](https://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Details/38723/uu-no-35-tahun-2014)
- [Kemendikdasmen: Safe and Comfortable School Culture page](https://cerdasberkarakter.kemendikdasmen.go.id/budayasekolahamannyaman/)

## When to involve the police, a UPTD PPA or a psychologist

Kemendikdasmen guidance tells head teachers to refer a case to the Pokja at once if any one of these applies: a physical injury needing emergency medical care; intimidation, coercion or a threat with a weapon; signs of sexual violence; an adult alleged perpetrator with a pattern of criminal behaviour; conduct that goes beyond breaking school rules; or an incident outside school involving outsiders. Where needed, the school calls emergency medical services or the nearest police station.

The Pokja arranges handling by the police, the women’s empowerment and child protection office, a puskesmas or hospital for the medico-legal report (visum) and mental health care, and counselling services. Families do not have to wait for the Pokja: you can report to the police yourself and contact KemenPPPA’s SAPA 129 (phone 129 or WhatsApp 08-111-129-129) or a UPTD PPA (regional women and child protection unit). Under Ministerial Regulation 4/2018 of the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, a UPTD PPA provides complaints handling, outreach to victims, case management, temporary shelter, mediation and victim support.

For psychological support, schools can work with a puskesmas, a family learning centre (Puspaga) or civil society organisations. If the perpetrator is also a child, the legal process follows Law 11/2012 on the Juvenile Criminal Justice System: diversion, meaning resolution outside court, must be attempted for offences carrying less than 7 years’ imprisonment that are not repeat offences. Children under 12 are not tried; they are returned to their parents or placed in a guidance programme for up to 6 months.

- [JDIH BPK: Ministerial Regulation 4/2018 on UPTD PPA units](https://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Details/240360/permen-pppa-no-4-tahun-2018)
- [KemenPPPA: report to SAPA 129](https://laporsapa129.kemenpppa.go.id/)

## Boarding schools, madrasahs and pesantren: choosing one and reporting problems

Madrasahs (Islamic day schools) and pesantren (Islamic boarding schools) come under the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) and follow its rules. Religious Affairs Minister Regulation (PMA) 73/2022 on preventing and handling sexual violence in education units under the ministry covers madrasahs, pesantren and religious education units. The head of the institution must clarify a report of sexual violence within 24 hours and report it to law enforcement if it is confirmed. If the head is the alleged perpetrator, the report can go to the body that runs the institution, the Dewan Masyayikh (the pesantren’s board of senior scholars), the head of the regency/city Kemenag office or the head of the provincial Kemenag office.

For all forms of violence, including bullying and violence in digital spaces, Kemenag has opened the AMAN anti-violence complaints app at aman.kemenag.go.id and the TelePontren WhatsApp service on 0822-2666-1854. AMAN can be used by santri (pesantren pupils), other pupils, parents, teachers and the public, and the reporter’s identity is kept confidential. On 14 October 2026 Kemenag announced tiered anti-violence task forces at national, provincial and regency/city level, while standard child safeguarding guidelines for pesantren are still being drafted.

Before choosing a pesantren or boarding school, check that it is registered. Law 18/2019 requires pesantren to register with Kemenag, and PMA 30/2020 provides a Piagam Statistik Pesantren (pesantren registration certificate) with the pesantren’s statistical number; madrasahs and pesantren can be searched on Kemenag’s EMIS, and a school’s national school number (NPSN) can be checked on Kemendikdasmen’s reference data site. Also ask about anti-violence rules, night-time supervision in the dormitories, how your child can contact you, and a complaints channel pupils can use without going through the person they are reporting.

- [AMAN: Kemenag’s anti-violence complaints app](https://aman.kemenag.go.id/)
- [JDIH Kemenag: PMA 73/2022 on preventing and handling sexual violence](https://jdih.kemenag.go.id/regulation/peraturan-menteri-agama-nomor-73-tahun-2022-tentang-pencegahan-dan-penanganan-kekerasan-seksual-di-satuan-pendidikan-pada-kementerian-agama)
- [Kemenag EMIS: search for madrasahs and pesantren](https://emis.kemenag.go.id/emis-dashboard)

## Things to check carefully

- Treating teasing, mocking names or exclusion as harmless jokes. Kemendikdasmen guidance classes them as psychological violence.
- Posting a video of the incident or the names of the children involved on social media before reporting it. This can hurt the victim again and get in the way of the case.
- Pushing the victim to make peace or meet the perpetrator before they are ready. The guidance says collaborative handling is not about bringing victim and perpetrator together to compromise.
- Reporting only by word of mouth without noting the date, the staff member’s name and the school’s response.
- Telling your child to hit back or confront the perpetrator alone.
- Still looking for the TPPK or task force. Both ended on 9 January 2026; ask about the school’s complaints channel and the Pokja in your area.

## Frequently asked questions

### Do schools still have a TPPK team in 2026?

No. Permendikdasmen 6/2026, in force since 9 January 2026, ended the term of the TPPK teams and task forces set up under Permendikbudristek 46/2023. Reports already in progress are finished by the TPPK or task force until the regional Pokja is formed; new reports go through the school’s complaints channel or to the Pokja.

### How quickly must a school respond to a bullying report?

Kemendikdasmen guidance (Kepmendikdasmen 17/2026) recommends an initial response within 24 hours. That figure is a recommendation in the guidelines, not a deadline in the ministerial regulation. If there is no response or the school sides with the perpetrator, you can report directly to the Pokja through the education office.

### What if the perpetrator is a teacher or the head teacher?

Report a teacher’s conduct to the head teacher; if it breaks the law, the head teacher must refer it to the Pokja. If the alleged perpetrator is the head teacher, members of the school report directly to the Pokja (Article 25 of Permendikdasmen 6/2026). For a criminal offence, you can also go straight to the police.

### Do teasing and mocking names count as bullying?

Yes. Kemendikdasmen guidance lists insults, mocking names, exclusion, spreading rumours and intimidation as forms of psychological violence, including when done through digital media. An occasional insult can be handled as a breach of the school’s code of conduct, while a repeated pattern or one involving threats is referred to the Pokja.

### Does the school deal with bullying in WhatsApp groups or on social media?

Yes, if it is linked to education or to social contact between members of the school. Article 9 of Permendikdasmen 6/2026 brings digital spaces within its scope. Keep screenshots, report it to the school, and also report the account or content using the platform’s reporting tool.

### Can a child who bullies others be expelled?

Handling a case must not cut off the child’s right to education. Article 26 of Permendikdasmen 6/2026 says the process involving pupils is carried out without ending their right to education. The school applies educational consequences through a written agreement, such as an apology, community tasks or mentoring.

### What is the SAPA 129 number?

Call 129 or send a WhatsApp message to 08-111-129-129; you can also use the online form at laporsapa129.kemenpppa.go.id. SAPA 129 is KemenPPPA’s complaints service for physical, mental, sexual or other violence against women and children. You can report even if you are not the victim yourself.

### How do I choose a safe pesantren or boarding school?

Check that it is registered: a pesantren has a Piagam Statistik Pesantren from Kemenag and can be found on Kemenag’s EMIS, while a school has an NPSN you can check on Kemendikdasmen’s reference data site. Ask about anti-violence rules, dormitory supervision, the complaints channel and how your child can contact you. Complaints about violence at a madrasah or pesantren can go through AMAN at aman.kemenag.go.id or TelePontren on 0822-2666-1854.

## Official sources

1. [JDIH BPK: Permendikdasmen Nomor 6 Tahun 2026 tentang Budaya Sekolah Aman dan Nyaman](https://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Details/345185/permendikdasmen-no-6-tahun-2026) (accessed 2026-10-14)
2. [JDIH Kemendikdasmen: Kepmendikdasmen Nomor 17 Tahun 2026 tentang Pedoman Penyelenggaraan Budaya Sekolah Aman dan Nyaman](https://jdih.kemendikdasmen.go.id/produk-hukum/peraturan-perundang-undangan/keputusan-menteri-pendidikan-dasar-dan-menengah-nomor-17-tahun-2026-tentang-pedoman-penyelenggaraan-budaya-sekolah-aman-dan-nyaman) (accessed 2026-10-14)
3. [Salinan Kepmendikdasmen 17/2026 (dimuat Dinas Pendidikan Kabupaten Hulu Sungai Utara)](https://disdik.hsu.go.id/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/KEPMENDIKDASMEN-NO-17-TH-2026_opt.pdf) (accessed 2026-10-14)
4. [Kemendikdasmen: halaman Budaya Sekolah Aman dan Nyaman (Puspeka)](https://cerdasberkarakter.kemendikdasmen.go.id/budayasekolahamannyaman/) (accessed 2026-10-14)
5. [Portal BSAN Kemendikdasmen: data Kelompok Kerja (diperbarui 14 Oktober 2026)](https://bsan.kemendikdasmen.go.id/kelompok-kerja) (accessed 2026-10-14)
6. [Kemendikdasmen: siaran pers pembentukan Pokja BSAN (3 Juni 2026)](https://www.kemendikdasmen.go.id/siaran-pers/15502-kemendikdasmen-perkuat-implementasi-budaya-sekolah-aman-dan-nyaman-melalui-pembentukan-pokja-bsan) (accessed 2026-10-14)
7. [JDIH BPK: Permendikbudristek Nomor 46 Tahun 2023 (dicabut)](https://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Details/285721/permendikbudriset-no-46-tahun-2023) (accessed 2026-10-14)
8. [JDIH BPK: UU Nomor 35 Tahun 2014 tentang Perubahan atas UU Perlindungan Anak](https://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Details/38723/uu-no-35-tahun-2014) (accessed 2026-10-14)
9. [JDIH BPK: UU Nomor 11 Tahun 2012 tentang Sistem Peradilan Pidana Anak](https://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Details/39061/uu-no-11-tahun-2012) (accessed 2026-10-14)
10. [JDIH BPK: UU Nomor 23 Tahun 2014 tentang Pemerintahan Daerah (Lampiran, urusan pendidikan)](https://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Details/38685/uu-no-23-tahun-2014) (accessed 2026-10-14)
11. [JDIH BPK: Permen PPPA Nomor 4 Tahun 2018 tentang Pedoman Pembentukan UPTD PPA](https://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Details/240360/permen-pppa-no-4-tahun-2018) (accessed 2026-10-14)
12. [KemenPPPA: Lapor SAPA 129](https://laporsapa129.kemenpppa.go.id/) (accessed 2026-10-14)
13. [Kemenkes: Cegah bunuh diri, dukung kesehatan jiwa, kenali layanan Healing119.id (7 Agustus 2025)](https://kesprimkom.kemkes.go.id/konten/158/151/0/cegah-bunuh-diri-dukung-kesehatan-jiwa-kenali-layanan-healing119-id) (accessed 2026-10-14)
14. [Polri: contact center 110 berlaku nasional dan gratis (12 Januari 2026)](https://humas.polri.go.id/news/detail/2241183-layanan-contact-center-110-berlaku-nasional-polri-pastikan-bisa-diakses-gratis-di-seluruh-indonesia) (accessed 2026-10-14)
15. [JDIH Kemenag: PMA Nomor 73 Tahun 2022 tentang Pencegahan dan Penanganan Kekerasan Seksual di Satuan Pendidikan pada Kementerian Agama](https://jdih.kemenag.go.id/regulation/peraturan-menteri-agama-nomor-73-tahun-2022-tentang-pencegahan-dan-penanganan-kekerasan-seksual-di-satuan-pendidikan-pada-kementerian-agama) (accessed 2026-10-14)
16. [Kemenag: aplikasi AMAN (Aplikasi Manajemen Aduan Antikekerasan)](https://aman.kemenag.go.id/) (accessed 2026-10-14)
17. [Kemenag: siaran pers kanal aduan AMAN dan TelePontren (22 Juli 2026)](https://sulteng.kemenag.go.id/berita/zyzwy/22-07-2026-ada-kanal-aduan-aman-santri-dan-siswa-bisa-laporkan-perundungan-dan-kekerasan-seksual) (accessed 2026-10-14)
18. [Kemenag: Satgas Anti Kekerasan berjenjang di pesantren (14 Oktober 2026)](https://pendis.kemenag.go.id/direktorat-pd-pontren/cegah-perundungan-dan-kekerasan-kemenag-bentuk-satgas-anti-kekerasan-berjenjang-di-pesantren) (accessed 2026-10-14)
19. [JDIH BPK: UU Nomor 18 Tahun 2019 tentang Pesantren](https://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Details/122743/uu-no-18-tahun-2019) (accessed 2026-10-14)
20. [JDIH BPK: PMA Nomor 30 Tahun 2020 tentang Pendirian dan Penyelenggaraan Pesantren](https://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Details/176216/peraturan-menag-no-30-tahun-2020) (accessed 2026-10-14)
21. [EMIS Kemenag: pencarian data lembaga](https://emis.kemenag.go.id/emis-dashboard) (accessed 2026-10-14)
22. [Kemendikdasmen: referensi data sekolah (NPSN)](https://referensi.data.kemendikdasmen.go.id/) (accessed 2026-10-14)

## Related guides

- [Keeping children safe online in Indonesia: PP TUNAS, parental controls and how to report](https://panduanwarga.org/en/guides/children-online-safety/)
- [Enrol a child through SPMB: routes, quotas, age rules and the one-year KK rule](https://panduanwarga.org/en/guides/school-enrolment-spmb/)
- [Sekolah Rakyat boarding schools: who they are for, how pupils are selected, costs and how to raise concerns](https://panduanwarga.org/en/guides/sekolah-rakyat-boarding-schools/)

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Source: Panduan Warga, https://panduanwarga.org/en/guides/school-bullying-help/ (reviewed 2026-10-14). General information, not legal or financial advice; current agency rules take precedence.