Reflecting on the Tragedy of Timothy Anugerah

 

I first learned about Timothy Anugerah, a student at Universitas Udayana, Bali, from social media posts that began circulating two weeks ago.Timothy reportedly fell from the fourth floor of his campus building, a tragedy that quickly drew public attention. Police are still investigating, but the story sparked nationwide discussion about bullying in universities. Many began to ask: How could this happen in a place meant to nurture learning and growth?

As someone who currently serves as a member of the PPKPT Task Force (Task Force for the Prevention and Handling of Violence in Higher Education) at Kalla Institute, this news feels deeply personal to me. The role of the PPKPT Task Force is not only to respond to cases of violence or bullying, but also to build a system that ensures the campus remains a safe and inclusive space for everyone.

Kami bekerja untuk:

• Menciptakan lingkungan kampus yang aman dan bebas kekerasan,
• Menyediakan mekanisme pelaporan, investigasi, dan pendampingan korban,
• Memberikan dukungan psikologis, hukum, dan sosial,
• Serta memperkuat relasi yang sehat di antara seluruh sivitas akademika.

For the past two years, I have also been entrusted with the responsibility of delivering a session on the “Three Major Wrongs in Higher Education” to new students during the university orientation program, namely bullying, sexual violence, and intolerance. 

Delivering a session on “The Three Major Wrongs in Higher Education.”

Materi ini bukan sekadar sosialisasi, tetapi upaya preventif untuk menanamkan empati dan kesadaran sejak awal. Kami ingin setiap mahasiswa  meyakini bahwa kampus adalah tempat mereka tumbuh.

Timothy’s story reminds us that prevention starts with awareness. Bullying, in any form physical, verbal, or psychological, can leave invisible scars. When it happens repeatedly, it can push someone into unbearable loneliness and despair.

It also calls for reflection:

How many people around him knew?

How many saw the signs and turned away?

How many were afraid to speak out?

The horror of bullying is that it often hides behind facades, behind polite smiles, hushed corners, or corridors between classes. The bully might be popular, the victim isolated, and the teacher unaware or indifferent.

That is why we must:

• Recognize the subtle forms of bullying.

• Create safe and trusted channels for reporting.

• Build a culture where empathy and courage are stronger than silence.