Criminal Responsibility of Bullies: A Case Study of Timothy Anugerah Saputra

Tanggung Jawab Pidana Pelaku Perundungan: Studi Kasus Timothy Anugerah Saputra

Abstract

The death of Timothy Anugerah Saputra, a student at Udayana University, highlights the urgent problem of criminal accountability for bullying perpetrators in Indonesia. This research employs a normative juridical approach by examining statutory regulations, legal doctrines, and relevant cases to identify gaps in the current legal system regarding bullying offenses. The findings indicate that the absence of specific provisions on bullying within the Indonesian Criminal Code (KUHP) forces law enforcement to rely on general articles such as assault, group violence, or defamation, which are often inadequate to address the complexity of verbal and digital bullying. This situation results in legal uncertainty and weak deterrence for perpetrators. The Timothy case demonstrates that untreated bullying can lead to severe social consequences, including collective psychological distress and declining public trust in law enforcement institutions. Therefore, the study recommends legal reform through the establishment of specific anti-bullying legislation or revision of existing criminal provisions to ensure effective and just legal protection for victims.