Tana Toraja schoolgirl bullied, six suspects detained

Makassar – Tana Toraja District Police in South Sulawesi have detained six suspects in a bullying case involving a 14-year-old schoolgirl identified as AG, whose video went viral on social media. ‘Police acted swiftly after the video circulated in the community, and have now detained six suspects involved in assaulting the victim,’ said Tana Toraja District Police Chief AKBP Budi Hermawan during a confirmation in Makassar on Saturday. He explained the suspects, identified as VVL (17), RL (16), JK (22), R (17), TAB (14), and W (26), are the victim’s friends from Rante Kalua’ Village, Mengkendek District, Tana Toraja Regency. All suspects are currently undergoing further investigation by police investigators. Preliminary investigations revealed the suspects claimed they were angry with the victim for allegedly taking their clothes without permission. However, this rationale does not justify violent actions. Budi stressed that legal proceedings will continue in accordance with applicable regulations while ensuring the victim’s protection. Meanwhile, Hadawiah Hatita, a child advocate from Makassar-based Lembaga Lapismedik, said the case serves as a warning for families, schools, and the social environment to strengthen supervision of children and teenagers. She added that beyond enforcing the law against perpetrators, there is a need to strengthen character education within families and schools, as well as improve digital literacy for children and teenagers. She also noted that awareness of the consequences of recording and sharing violent content on social media must be continuously raised to prevent similar incidents.