Victoria's worst school bullying regions revealed
Two in five students are being targeted in the worst Victorian regions for bullies, figures reveal, with a mum saying her Grade 5 son has had to have a mental health review after “crying every morning too scared to go to school”. Hot spots revealed and what you can do about bullying as a parent.
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The worst Victorian regions for school bullying have been revealed, as two in five students report being targeted in the most extreme cases.
Children in rural and regional areas suffer bullying the most, while students in metropolitan areas reported the least amount of bullying across the state.
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The state’s west was the worst, responses from Grade 5 and 6, and Year 7 to 9 students to the Attitudes to School (AtoS) Survey for 2017 show.
Though, bullying was also rife across central Victoria and Gippsland.
A mother who contacted the Herald Sun said her son, 11, was so relentlessly bullied at his school in Gippsland that he was spending days at home.
“There’s nothing worse than having your kid crying every morning scared to go to school,” said the mother, who did not wish to be named to avoid identifying her son.
The family, of Australian-Samoan heritage, moved from Melbourne’s south east to Gippsland last year “for a better life”.
However, the boy left his first Catholic primary school because of bullying, but faced similar issues at his second public school, his mum claimed.
“I’ve just had to go get a mental health review for my 11-year-old,” she said.
The mother said the Grade 5 student faced racist taunts and was even stalked home by other pupils.
“It’s like a pack mentality — outsiders just aren’t welcome,” she said.
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Loddon, northwest of Melbourne, returned the most troubling results of the students’ survey, with two in five senior primary school children reporting they had been bullied.
On average, the data showed one in five Victorian students was bullied, although national figures suggest one in four Australian students experience bullying.
Other concerning LGAs for Grade 5/6 students was Hindmarsh, Central Goldfields, Mitchell and Southern Grampians.
For junior high school students, the west of the state was also a concern.
More than on in three Year 7 to 9 students reported being bullied in the Central Goldfields and Northern Grampians.
Benalla, Wellington, Moorabool and Strathbogie shires returned similar results.
However, not a single Melbourne shire featured in the top 10 worst for both age groups.
And the majority of students’ more positive responses was in a metropolitan LGA.
More than 180,000 Victorian students took part in the study.
A DET spokesman said it took the wellbeing and safety of students “very seriously” and there was no place for bullying in schools.
“We’re focused on preventing and addressing bullying where is does occur, and supporting students who are bullied,” he said.
“Every government school in Victoria must have a bullying prevention policy that also includes strategies to prevent, and intervene in, bullying and unacceptable behaviour.”
VICTORIA’S WORST BULLYING REGIONS
Grade 5/6 students
■ Loddon — 39.2%
■ Hindmarsh — 34.1%
■ Central Goldfields 34%
■ Mitchell — 33.3%
■ Southern Grampians — 30.3%
■ Benalla — 28.5%
■ Pyrenees — 27.8%
■ Ballarat/Glenelg — 25.8%
■ Towong — 24.7%
■ West Wimmera — 24.5%
Year 7-9 students
■ Central Goldfields — 35.8%
■ Northern Grampians — 34.8%
■ Benalla — 34.2%
■ Wellington — 34%
■ Moorabool/Strathbogie — 33.3%
■ Southern Grampians — 33.2%
■ East Gippsland — 33%
■ West Wimmera — 32.8%
■ Wodonga — 31.9%
■ Mitchell/Moyne/Wangaratta — 31.5%
*Figures from the Attitudes to School (AtoS) Survey
PARENT LINKS
HOW TO IDENTIFY IF YOUR CHILD’S A BULLY AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT
Talk to your school about accessing resources including a Bullystoppers online toolkit and the eSmart Schools online program.
HELP YOUR CHILD OVERCOME BULLYING
TALK with your child regularly and listen to what they have to say
REASSURE your child it’s not their fault and bullying is never OK
CONTACT your child’s school for support
IT’S best not to approach the bully or their parents yourself
SEEK help from a counsellor, psychologist or GP if needed cyber-bullying
BLOCK or de-friend the bully
DISCUSS the situation with a school staff member
COLLECT evidence with screen shots
REPORT inappropriate behaviour to the app or social media site and to the eSafety Commissioner`
* If you or someone you know needs help, call Lifeline on 131 114, beyondblue on 1300 22 4636 or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800. For more information on mental health and treatment options, visit headspace, Kids Helpline, beyondblue, Black Dog Institute, ReachOut, Lifeline, or RUOK.
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