A leading Australian expert on anti-bullying programs has welcomed new strategies launched by the Queensland Government to tackle bullying in schools, including new “rapid support squads” to respond to critical incidents and hotspots.
The $33 million program also includes the establishment of a new anti-bullying stakeholder reference group to provide advice, additional funding for chaplains and student wellbeing staff to increase permanent on-the-ground support, and a crisis support hotline to offer assistance to concerned parents and carers.
There will also be new and updated professional development resources for schools.
Flinders University Emeritus Professor Phillip Slee said the rapid support squads, made up of three senior guidance officers and support staff, sent a strong message to the community that bullying is unacceptable.
Slee, a former director of the Student Wellbeing & Prevention of Violence Research Centre at Flinders University, said the stakeholder reference group to co-design an anti-bullying campaign is to be applauded, especially if it includes a significant element of student and community voice.
“This aligns with important elements of the world-leading Australian Wellbeing Framework,” he said.
“Capacity building to prevent bullying must not only involve parents and students but also include ancillary staff such as bus drivers and groundskeepers.”
According to Slee, who has developed successful anti-bullying programs including the P.E.A.C.E. Pack, Australian school students face the second highest level of bullying among 24 OECD countries.
“Any strengths-based initiative to address bullying is to be applauded. Queensland and Australia are leading the way in addressing the issue of school bullying.”
Slee said there is a lack of knowledge in the broader community about resources such as the Student Wellbeing Hub website to support schools in addressing bullying and the Bullying No Way National Week of Action, which will be held from August 11–15 this year.
“A national initiative needs to be developed to address school bullying that is sensitive to local community circumstances, and which prioritises prevention and not simply reaction to bullying incidents,” he said.
Launching the Queensland initiatives earlier this year, Premier David Crisafulli said the approach was needed to counteract the devastating impacts of bullying.
“We’re putting the spotlight on bullying so our schools can be a safe place for every student,” Crisafulli said.
“We’ve lost too many young lives to bullying, which is why we’re delivering a plan to put the spotlight on this serious issue.
“This is about turning the tables on bullying and bolstering support for kids, parents, and schools.”