Parents Victoria advocates for a safe learning environment for all students. We recognise the devastating impact bullying can have on children. We believe all schools need adequate resources to combat bullying, including a bullying policy and procedures, training for staff in how to deal with bullying, and a partnership approach with parents.
The Victorian Education Department’s anti-bullying program is called Bully Stoppers. This program supports teachers, principals, parents and students in working together to help put a stop to bullying.
Anti-bullying resources
- Bully Stoppers home page
- Bully Stoppers – resources for parents and carers
- Bullying. No way! (Federal Government resource website)
- eSafety Commissioner Cyberbullying resources
- Kidshelpline bullying resources
Resources from Generation Next
Generation Next is a social enterprise focused on the mental health of young people. They have produced some useful resources to help understand and work against bullying.
- Podcast with Andrew Fuller: Understanding Bullying & Practical Tips On How We Can Help Young People
- Article: Why are bullies so mean? A youth psychology expert explains what’s behind their harmful behaviour
- Article: Our new study provides a potential breakthrough on school bullying
This new study, published in American Psychology, trialled a new way of tackling bullying among students in South Korea. Instead of trying to change individuals’ behaviour, it puts the focus on how teachers can create an “anti-bullying climate” in their classes. - Article: 5 questions your child’s school should be able to answer about bullying This article focuses on actions that schools can take against bullying.
Report – the cost of bullying
We know that bullying can have a devastating impact on individuals. But there are also long-term consequences for us all, through reduced economic potential, negative health outcomes and social consequences.
To measure these consequences, the Alannah and Madeline Foundation engaged PricewaterhouseCoopers (with funding from the Victorian Education Department), to conduct an economic impact analysis of the cost of bullying in Australian schools, and Victorian schools specifically. The objective of report was to identify and quantify, to the extent possible, the breadth of the impacts of bullying across student and adult life.
