A female pupil who was bullied by seven underage pupils and her mother, who she had told about it, reported the case to the police recently, a Public Prosecutions Office (MP) statement said yesterday.
The statement did not mention the gender composition of the underage bullies.
According to the statement, one of the female suspects had argued with the victim twice at an education centre between March and April. After the two argued, the female suspect then mustered six other pupils and bullied the victim outside the centre.
The statement underlined that the seven underage pupils yelled at the victim, hit and even slapped her, adding that the victim then told her mother about the incident and reported the case to the police.
The statement pointed out that only one of the suspects is 16 years old or above, while the other six are all under the age of 16.
According to the statement, after questioning, the Public Prosecutions Office decided that the pupil who is aged 16 or above will face a charge of causing bodily harm. The suspect could face up to three years in jail.
The statement pointed out that the Public Prosecutions Office also decided that the other six pupils who are under the age of 16 will be transferred to the Office of the Family and Juvenile Court at the Court of First Instance. The statement said that according to the law a non-penal correctional system can be implemented for youths aged between 12 and 16 who violate the Penal Code.
The statement said that in Macau, the Penal Code’s criminal responsibility only applies to those of the age of 16 or above, therefore one of the seven youngsters will be facing criminal charges. The statement also said that for youths between the ages of 12 and 16, with the Public Prosecutions Office’s recommendation, the judge can order them to be transferred to non-penal correction facility.
The aim of the non-penal correctional system is, according to the statement, to ensure that through different levels of education and assistance the minors can correct their moral values and build up a proper life plan in order develop a responsible attitude enabling them to re-enter civil society.
The statement stressed that school bullying can affect one’s mental and physical health seriously and permanently, pointing out that it also destroys the school’s educational environment and order. The statement added that anyone experiencing or witnessing bullying should seek help from their parents or school and report the incident to the police.
The Public Prosecutions Office urged youths to stop bullying and help build a healthy and safe environment for their schoolmates.
