Charlotte’s Wish: Fed Govt calls in experts to find national fix for school bullying

‘Absolutely every mum and dad would be affected’ by the suicide death of bullied schoolgirl Charlotte O’Brien, says Federal Education Minister Jason Clare, who has committed to a national bullying policy for all schools across Australia.

Two experts have been hand-picked by the federal government to travel the country for six months to gather harrowing stories of bullying as the government forges ahead with its plan to create a national bullying policy.

The Sunday Telegraph can reveal Federal Education Minister Jason Clare has sent Dr Charlotte Keating and Dr Jo Robinson on a six-month fact-finding mission in the wake of the suicide death of Sydney schoolgirl Charlotte O’Brien.

Both sides of government agreed to work towards a streamlined approach to dealing with bullying in schools in the wake of The Sunday Telegraph documentary Charlotte’s Wish.

In an exclusive interview with The Sunday Telegraph this week, Mr Clare said the experts will consult with parents, teachers, students, state education departments and the non-government sectors across Australia and draw on work already under way to address bullying in schools. They will report back to education ministers mid-year.

The Albanese government committed to change in the wake of the death of Sydney schoolgirl Charlotte O’Brien in September last year, whose story inspired the Sunday Telegraph documentary Charlotte’s Wish.

Sydney schoolgirl Charlotte O’Brien left a note telling her parents to raise awareness about school bullying when she suicided in September last year.

The Year 7 student suicided after a relentless campaign of bullying at Santa Sabina College, and left a note telling her mum and dad to raise awareness.

Mr Clare said he, like all parents, was shocked by the death of the 12-year-old, and applauded her brave parents and the parents of other children who succumbed to toxic behaviour in the playground.

“Absolutely every mum and dad would be affected by their story,” the minister said.

“It’s every parent’s worst nightmare. It terrifies me just thinking about it.

Federal Education Minister Jason Clare. Picture: NewsWire

Prue Car is committed to keeping kids safe from bullying in schools. Picture: NCA NewsWire

“It’s through the efforts of brave mums and dads, but also The Sunday Telegraph that brought the spotlight on this issue, that we can make change happen,” Mr Clare said.

“We will listen to the experts and develop a national strategy that is grounded in evidence and informed by lived experiences.

“Bullying is not just something that happens in schools, but schools are places where we can intervene and provide support for students.

“All students and staff should be safe at school, and free from bullying and violence.

“That’s why we’re taking action to develop a national standard.”

Mr Clare said the experts “have a pretty full-on job”, not only talking to families directly affected but also talking to teachers and principals at schools around the country “so we know what’s working and where things need improving”.

“Once they have completed their study and we are presented with their advice then we, the ministers in every state and territory, will move as a group.”

Dr Keating is a mental health advocate and a Clinical Psychologist with a PhD in neuroscience, and a member of the Board of Directors at The Alannah and Madeline Foundation, and an advisory board member at Dolly’s Dream.

Dr Robinson leads the suicide prevention research unit at Orygen, which is regarded as a leading centre of youth suicide research in the world. Dr Robinson’s research focuses on the best approaches to reduce suicide risk among young people.

NSW Deputy Premier Prue Car said: “Bullying is a scourge that impacts children across all school sectors, states and territories, and we all have a crucial role to play in stamping it out.

“NSW is leading the way nationally to address bullying and cyberbullying so children at all schools feel safe and supported to focus on their learning.

“I have tasked NESA with leading the development of a cross sectoral anti-bullying framework to be implemented in all NSW schools.

“As we progress this work in NSW, we look forward to working with state and federal counterparts on a consistent national approach.”

The news of progress was a relief to Charlotte’s mum Kelly O’Brien who said the start of the school year had been “especially debilitating” for her.

Kelly O’Brien has vowed to make sure her daughter Charlotte’s death is not in vain, and will continue to be her voice pushing for change. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“From the back to school stationary and lunch boxes at the supermarkets to hoards of children in their uniforms back out on the street daily. Even in my own home where we have two high school students who have now returned to the hustle and bustle of high school life,” she said.

“It’s such a sad and stark reminder that Charlotte will forever be 12. She didn’t make it past Year 7 and she will never have a return to school.

“She will never come home excited because she made new friends or likes her new classes again.”

Ms O’Brien vowed to help others when Charlotte passed, “to raise awareness like she asked so that her death would not be in vain”.

“I’m hoping the government will come through with their reformed anti bullying policies. If my daughter’s death served as a catalyst for change then absolutely it would not be in vain.”

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Originally published as Charlotte’s Wish: Fed Govt calls in experts to find national fix for school bullying