10 October 2017
In 2015, Singapore ranked third highest in the world for bullying rates in findings published by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). These findings were based in part on a survey of 5,825 students in Singapore, conducted by the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).
Similar results were established by local gender equality group AWARE, whose study involved surveying 809 male respondents in local tertiary institutions.
Dr Carol Balhetchet, a clinical psychologist, said bullying happens when insecure individuals want to be in control of their environment. “They will feel more confident as the bullying is a process for them to feel better about themselves.”
Dr Elizabeth Nair, principal psychologist at Work & Health Psychologists, said people do not associate bullying with the workplace as adults are expected to be able to take care of themselves. She said there are different types of workplace bullying like social exclusion, where the victim is left out of conversations. Another example is when a person is not credited for good work.
Last week, Minister for Education (Schools) Ng Chee Meng said in Parliament that bullying has no place in Singapore. He said cases of bullying here have been stable and managed.