Forum: Even small actions by bystanders can help in bullying cases
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Follow topic:
I refer to the recent incident involving pupils from Sengkang Green Primary School (3 Sengkang Green pupils suspended for bullying classmate; with 1 of them caned
When we talk about bullying, the focus is often on the bully and the victim. Yet there is a third group that holds immense influence: the bystanders. Their role, though often overlooked, can determine whether bullying loses strength or grows unchecked.
If witnesses remain silent, laugh along, or even encourage the bully, the victim’s isolation deepens. In those moments, bystanders may not throw the first insult or push, but their silence or complicity fuels the bully’s power.
When no one intervenes, the bully gains confidence, and the victim feels there is no way out.
Moral courage is what breaks this cycle. It is not easy to stand up in the face of intimidation, but even small actions – saying “stop”, standing beside the victim, reporting the behaviour – can shift the balance. The moment a bystander chooses not to be silent, the bully’s hold begins to weaken.
This is not just about schools. In workplaces, communities and even online spaces, bullying thrives when people look away. Toxic behaviour persists not because it goes unseen, but because too few are willing to confront it.
Bullying is not only a problem between bully and victim; it is a problem for all. Every bystander has a choice – to stay silent, or to use his presence as protection. Choosing silence protects the bully. Choosing courage protects the victim.
If we want safer schools, workplaces and communities, we must stop ignoring the role of bystanders.
Bullying does not end with silence. It ends when enough voices say “This isn’t right”.
Delane Lim
Executive Director
Character & Leadership Academy
