Anti-bullying policy being developed by State Government, calls for public feedback via survey
SERIAL schoolyard bullies could be reported to police or banned from using computers or mobile phones at school under an anti-bullying policy being developed by the State Government. You can contribute your own ideas to their survey.
SERIAL schoolyard bullies could be reported to police or banned from using computers or mobile phones at school under an anti-bullying policy being developed by the State Government.
Education Minister John Gardner is asking parents, teachers and children to share their views on how best to crack down on bullying in schools.
An online survey will remain open for a month and contribute to a new bullying policy that Mr Gardner said would be in place for the start of the next school year.
The survey asks for public feedback on several ways to manage bullying.
These include whether police involvement, punishment, counselling or banning children from using personal electronic devices at school would best curb the behaviour of serial bullies.
It also asks whether legal powers enabling teachers to “restrict” children who continue to bully others would be helpful, compared to more time to follow up reports or student surveys about bullying incidents and culture.
Mr Gardner said he hoped the results would inform a “commonsense response”.
“To ensure the action we take is appropriate and effective we want to hear the views of parents, educators and the broader community on steps to keep our children safe,” he said.
The survey will also ask for views on the best ways to prevent bullying, from more playground supervision to teaching children assertiveness or coping skills.
Factors that contribute to bullying are examined, including the example set by adults or celebrities and a lack of consequences.
Parents have the chance to ask for more help through new support groups or podcasts produced on the topic and access to specialists to work with their children.
They are also encouraged to think about what action they can take to stamp out bullying, such as monitoring children’s online activity, taking away their mobile phones or talking to the parents of bullies.
The performance of schools to identify bullying, protect students and create a safe environment is addressed too.
Last year, the Education Department received 236 complaints about bullying – the equivalent of one for each day the public school system was open.
A departmental audit of 500 schools found 12 per cent either didn’t meet basic expectations or didn’t have an anti-bullying policy.
Just over a year ago, 13-year-old schoolgirl Libby Bell took her life after what her parents allege was a bullying campaign by peers.
Her death sparked then Australian Conservatives MP, now Liberal backbencher Dennis Hood, to introduce a Bill dubbed Libby’s Law, which would have imposed penalties of up to 10 years’ jail. It lapsed when Parliament broke for the March state election but it is understood a similar Bill will be reintroduced by next year.
Commissioner for Children and Young People Helen Connolly is working on a bullying report to be presented to the State Government soon.
She said young people she interviewed had shown “a great deal of compassion, both for the child being bullied and the personal circumstances of the child who exhibits bullying behaviours”.
The survey is open until October 21 at yoursay.sa.gov.au
For support, call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.