FROM BULLYING TO GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE: UNDERSTANDING HIDDEN MECHANISMS OF OPPRESSION IN SCHOOLS
Abstract
Schools are often perceived as safe spaces for learning and personal growth; yet beneath their surface, subtle patterns of domination and discrimination frequently persist. This paper explores the psychological and social mechanisms that transform everyday bullying into more systemic forms of gender-based violence, particularly among adolescents. Drawing on field experiences and empirical studies in Indonesian schools, the discussion highlights how social norms, peer hierarchies, and cultural silence contribute to normalizing aggression, marginalization, and emotional suppression among girls. The paper employs a socio-ecological and counseling framework to analyze the interplay between individual vulnerability, school climate, and broader cultural values. It further examines the mental health implications for victims, bystanders, and perpetrators, emphasizing the need for a whole-school approach in prevention and intervention. Beyond identifying the roots of oppression, this paper calls for a paradigm shift—from punitive responses toward restorative and gender-sensitive counseling practices that empower students and educators alike. Ultimately, creating safe educational spaces requires not only legal and institutional mechanisms, but also the transformation of mindsets that sustain invisible forms of violence.