Friday 16 March 2018 is the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence. It’s a day when schools across Australia will stand united in calling for a world free from bullying.
The facts about bullying are alarming and show that we’ve got a lot of work to do.
According to a national study in 2009, approximately one in four Year 4 to Year 9 Australian students reported being bullied every few weeks or more often. 84% of students who were bullied online were also bullied in person.
Bullying is defined as ‘an ongoing misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that causes physical and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power over one or more persons. Bullying can happen in person or online, and it can be obvious or hidden. Bullying of any form or for any reason can have long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders.’
I encourage you to take a close look at the ‘Bullying. No Way!’ website for Australian schools. It contains excellent resources and ideas about how you can help to stop bullying and ensure that all children and young pehttps://bullyingnoway.gov.au/nationaldayople grow up safe and well in an environment of respect and tolerance.
Dr Brian Babington
CEO, Families Australia
15 March 2018