Page 38 - College Primer AY 2021-2022

Safe Campus Primer

Question # 8: As a victim of bullying, how can I deal with the trauma that I've
experienced?

Answer: You may consult with the school's Guidance Counselors who have been trained to
handle and recogni ze traumatic stress due to bullying. You should feel safe coming forward and
reporting your concerns to them.

Question # 9: How do you encourage victims to speak up if bullying is a sensitive thing?

Answer: Empowering students to speak up and end bullying by letting them feel they are valued
and the consequential benefits of ‘Speaking Up’ as a victim of bullying:
i. Speaking up will give the bullied confidence allowing you to be happy with
yourself and move forward with what you love.
ii. It promotes positive awareness by bringing information to people’s attention
and educating them in a positive way.
iii. Speaking up can stop a bully in its tracks.
iv. When you do speak, it will inspire others to be brave enough to do the
same.

Question # 10: As a victim of bullying from a parent in my previous school who ruined my
image by spreading a fake video of me, spreading rumors about me, and telling everyone
to stay away from me, is that punishable by law? If other students go through the same
thing, what can we do if the school turns a blind eye regarding issues like these?

Answer: Under Philippine Jurisdiction, Defamation as a criminal act is only defined as Oral
Defamation, if it is already a malicious imputation through circulation then it is libel, if through
internet wide, then it is cyber libel.

While Republic Act No. 10627 does not criminalizes acts of bullying, posting of malicious videos
and spreading rumors is tantamount to a criminal act under Philippine Jurisdiction and can be
prosecuted either under Article 353 of the Revised Penal Code for Libel or under Republic Act
No. 10175 for cyberlibel. It may warrant as well for prosecution under the Safe Spaces Act or
R.A. No. 11313 depending on the circumstances. If the video contains malicious contents i.e
sexual act or capture of private parts, it can be prosecuted for violation of the crime of photo and
video voyeurism under Republic Act No. 9995.

If the school fails to act on it, you can directly file a complaint before the Secretary of Department
of Education, through the Regional Director or its Division, for the non-compliance of the school
which may warrant the suspension or revocation of permit or recognition as a private school.

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