Almost 1700 submissions received in federal government’s Anti-Bullying Rapid Review

Almost 1700 submissions from students, parents and educators detailing real-life bullying experiences have been revealed as part of a national review into the deadly issue. Read the emotional accounts.

The harms of deepfakes and other forms of online and schoolyard bullying have been highlighted as key issues affecting students and teachers as part of a national review into the deadly issue.

The Sunday Telegraph can reveal the federal government’s Anti-Bullying Rapid Review has received almost 1700 submissions from pupils, parents and educators detailing emotional accounts of real-life bullying experiences and the need for urgent action.

Expert co-chairs, Dr Charlotte Keating, a clinical psychologist, and Dr Jo Robinson, who leads suicide prevention research, are leading the review to look at what is working and what needs strengthening before reporting to education ministers with options for the development of a consistent national standard for responding to bullying and its underlying causes in schools.

Submissions closed last week, with a final report including recommendations expected later this year.

The federal government has committed to supporting this policy after The Sunday Telegraph’s Charlotte’s Wish documentary.

Charlotte O’Brien with her baby brother Will. Picture: Supplied by the family

Emma Mason with a picture of her daughter Tilly Rosewarne. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Charlotte O’Brien, 12, took her own life in September last year, after a relentless campaign of bullying in the schoolyard and online.

Dr Keating said the high number of submissions was a reflection of the importance of the review for the whole community.

“What we’re seeing so far through consultations is parents, young people, carers as well as educators calling for better support when they’re experiencing bullying,” she said.

“We’re also hearing increasing concerns regarding bullying behaviours affecting the school context of technology and that includes online harms such as deepfakes which not only target students and it’s a concern for teachers as well.”

Charlotte’s parents, Matt and Kelly O’Brien, are among the loudest voices calling for greater uniformity in anti-bullying policies across schools.

The couple said they were “grateful” for the anti-bullying rapid review – a direct response to Charlotte’s Wish.

“We are also grateful for the 1700 people that came forward to make submissions,” the O’Briens said.

“The feedback is clear. We need a nationally mandated anti-bullying policy — one that is not optional, but a standard in every classroom, in every state, across every type of school.

“School bullying … is a national issue that requires a national approach.”

Clinical psychologist Charlotte Keating is a co-chair of the review.

Education Minister Jason Clare said bullying was “cruel”, “dangerous” and left scars that last a lifetime.

“I’ve heard about students who have dreaded going to school because of being bullied. Or about parents who feel helpless watching their child suffer.

“And I’ve heard from teachers who are doing everything to support students,” he said.

“That’s why the Albanese government is taking action to develop a national standard to address bullying in schools.

“Thank you to the teachers, students and parents who have shown courage and shared their experiences and insights.

“The review team is continuing to engage with these groups before making a set of recommendations to Education Ministers soon.”

Emma Mason, the mother of NSW schoolgirl Matilda “Tilly” Rosewarne, who took her own life after the teen was tormented by school bullies, including a fake nude image of her being shared on Snapchat, has also called for enforceable standards in schools’ responses to bullying,

“Governments should establish a network of “geographically-dependent” independent, expert bullying consultants who can make binding recommendations to schools, she said.

Dr Keating added that she was hopeful that a “national standard” could be implemented to ensure that students, families and educators could feel confident that bullying would be responded to appropriately.

“We will continue our consultations nationally throughout July … to really ensure that lived experiences are considered in this review.

“Our task is to develop possible models for what a national standard for bullying could look like.”

Originally published as Almost 1700 submissions received in federal government’s Anti-Bullying Rapid Review