The tragic incident involving Timothy Anugerah Saputra reflects the seriousness of the problem of bullying in the campus environment, a place that should be a safe space for students to grow and learn. Timothy, a seventh-semester student majoring in Sociology at Udayana University, was found dead after falling from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences building on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.
He is suspected of experiencing psychological stress due to frequent bullying from his peers, both verbal and social. This stress not only hurt his feelings but also slowly destroyed his self-confidence.
This case is not the first; data from the National Commission on Violence Against Women (2024) shows that cases of violence and bullying in higher education increased by 23% compared to the previous year, with the majority of victims experiencing severe psychological stress.
This incident serves as a reminder that campus responsibilities extend beyond academic aspects to include protecting the mental health and well-being of students. The campus environment should be a safe and inclusive place for all members of the academic community. Timothy’s case demonstrates that bullying in academic settings remains a serious problem that is often overlooked.
Allegations of bullying against Timothy grew stronger after screenshots of a student group chat circulated showing taunts and inappropriate comments, such as “It’s really ridiculous to commit suicide from the second floor,” as well as mocking his mental and physical condition. This type of bullying is not just joking, but a form of psychological violence with long-term impacts.
According to a 2024 report by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek), more than 1,200 complaints of violence and bullying at universities were reported through the One Data on Educational Violence channel, and approximately 40% of these involved verbal and social violence.
In response to Timothy’s case, the university, along with relevant authorities, imposed a number of sanctions on the students involved, including reductions in soft skills grades, revocation of organizational positions, and other academic sanctions.
However, debate remains regarding the timing and extent of the bullying, whether it occurred before or after Timothy’s death. However, it is undeniable that social pressure, teasing, and a lack of psychological support can significantly worsen a person’s mental health. Situations like these highlight the importance of empathy, mental health literacy, and a psychological support system on campus.
Read more: Is it True that People with Mental Illness Having Problems Getting Mental Health Services?
The steps taken by the government and educational institutions to emphasize that there is no room for bullying are commendable, but their implementation and prevention methods still need to be strengthened.
The Directorate General of Higher Education, for example, has mandated the formation of a Task Force for the Prevention and Handling of Violence (Satgas PPK) through Ministerial Regulation No. 55 of 2024, so that violence and bullying in higher education can be addressed in a structured and comprehensive manner.
However, a 2025 survey by the Indonesian Mental Health Institute (IMHI) showed that only around 38% of universities in Indonesia have active and easily accessible counseling services for students. This demonstrates the continued significant gaps in early detection, intervention mechanisms, and rapid response to students experiencing psychological distress.
Timothy’s case serves as a stark reminder that universities need to be more proactive in establishing community-based monitoring systems, strengthening counseling services, and fostering a culture of empathy and solidarity among students.
The tragedy that befell Timothy should serve as a lesson and a reflection for all campus elements: bullying is not trivial; no matter how small its form, it can cause deep wounds that can ultimately lead to death. The academic environment should be a safe space physically, emotionally, and socially.
Campuses need to instill values of mutual respect and caring, and provide accessible mental health services for all students. The government also needs to ensure that every campus has clear and victim-centered protection mechanisms.
If cultural change is not implemented immediately, similar tragedies could recur. Hopefully, Timothy’s passing will not be merely a sad story, but also the starting point for real change towards a more humane, civilized, and empathetic world of education.
Author: Elza Tri Budiman
Public Sector Accounting Student, Harkat Negeri University
Editor: Salwa Alifah Yusrina
Bahasa: Rahmat Al Kafi
⚡ Baca Lebih Cepat Artikel MMI di Ponsel Anda!
Ikuti Channel WhatsApp
Media Mahasiswa Indonesia (MMI):
KLIK DI SINI
