KINGSTON, Jamaica — Fi We Children Foundation (FWCF) is calling on the Government to enact comprehensive anti-bullying legislation, noting that the absence of a dedicated legislative framework represents a significant gap in Jamaica’s efforts to fulfil its international obligations to protect children from violence, abuse and harm.

The call follows a now-viral video of a Kingston College student being held over a staircase, with the school maintaining the students holding him were trying to assist, not bully.

The group cited a recent interview with TVJ News where the mother of the student stated that, according to her child, he had voluntarily gone over the railing and had been experiencing bullying from a student in his class.

She further stated that when she asked her child why he had not reported the alleged bullying, he told her that he was afraid of being labelled an “informer.”

FWCF said the account raises questions about whether existing reporting mechanisms are sufficiently accessible and trusted by KC students.

It is calling on the school to urgently review its mechanisms for reporting and responding to bullying, intimidation and other student safety concerns, including whether these mechanisms are sufficiently accessible, child-friendly and trusted by students.

The group stressed that the concern is particularly significant given that the child is reportedly a Grade 7 student and relatively new to the institution, stressing that students transitioning into a new school environment may require “clear, age-appropriate and confidential avenues through which they can safely raise concerns and seek assistance.”

It highlighted the case of Bradford-Smart v West Sussex County Council, where the court affirmed that schools owe a duty to take reasonable care for their pupils and may be found in breach of that duty where they fail to take reasonable steps within their power to prevent harm.

It is calling on the school to:
● Review its existing bullying and student safety reporting mechanisms, including their accessibility to younger students;
●Ensure that students have confidential, accessible and child-friendly avenues through which they can report bullying, intimidation and other safety concerns;
● Assess safeguards against retaliation, intimidation and social stigma associated with reporting concerns;
● Review the circumstances surrounding the handling of the present matter by the school administration; and
●Ensure that allegations of bullying are promptly documented, assessed and appropriately addressed, consistent with the school’s safeguarding responsibilities.

At the national level, FWCF is calling for the Government of Jamaica to establish a comprehensivelegislative framework addressing bullying in schools.

It said such legislation should provide clear duties, reporting and accountability mechanisms, prevention measures and protections for children who report bullying or are otherwise affected by it.