Keeping children safe from bullying

Consultation Process

UPDATE: Below is a record of what appeared on YourSAy during the open consultation process from 23 September 2018 - 21 October 2018.

We need your help to better understand the nature of bullying behaviour and to further develop strategies to protect children inside and outside the school gates. 

What is being decided?

The South Australian government’s Keeping Children Safe from Bullying election commitment outlines a range of measures to address all forms of bullying behaviour children may experience. 

Schools play a key role in addressing bullying and cyberbullying and in maintaining a safe learning environment for all students. However, bullying is a highly complex issue, which takes place both inside and outside the school gates. Tackling this issue, therefore, requires a multi-faceted approach involving schools, families and the community.

We want to hear from children and young people, parents, educators, professionals working with children and families, and the wider community. Together we can better understand the nature of these issues. 

We want to hear your ideas about:

What you think is most important for schools to do to keep children safe from bullying
How parents, families, the police and the community can help reduce bullying
How we can better support schools and teachers to prevent and respond to bullying

Get involved

Your input is important in understanding the community’s views. We are collecting people’s views through a public survey, and through targeted stakeholder consultations, including an Advisory Roundtable chaired by the Attorney-General to discuss potential legislative responses to bullying behaviour.

You can have your say and provide your feedback by:

Responding to the online survey
Attending the Keeping children safe from bullying conference 

Do you want to know more?

Email us at education.keepingsafe@sa.gov.au to find out more information.

How will your input be used?

Your input will help us develop an approach on how to better protect children from bullying behaviour. It will be used to develop strategies, programs and materials to support schools, teachers, parents and other members of the community.

Closing date: 5 pm, 21 October 2018

Background

Now closed

The South Australian government is committed to keeping children safe from bullying in schools.

What is bullying?

Bullying is a complex social issue with multiple drivers. It is 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 (overt) or hidden (covert).

Bullying of any form or for any reason can have long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders.

Single incidents and conflict or fights between equals, whether in person or online, are not defined as bullying.

While conflicts, fights or a single case of someone being mean can be upsetting, bullying is a specific type of behaviour. It involves a misuse of power in a relationship, it is ongoing and repeated, and it involves behaviours that can cause harm.

How will we work towards addressing bullying?

Bullying is complex. It needs a suite of evidence-based responses to support schools, teachers, parents, young people and children. The strategies we define in response to bullying need to reflect the different types of bullying behaviour and the severity of the impact on other children and young people.

The government has committed to implementing a comprehensive range of measures to address all forms of bullying as outlined in the Keeping Children Safe from Bullying election commitment. 

This survey seeks input from the community and stakeholders about what is needed to better protect children from bullying behaviours. It is a joint initiative of the Department for Education and the Attorney-General’s Department.