Bullying and harassment

Education Queensland does not tolerate bullying in any form. Bullying, harassment, discrimination and violence are abuses of power that jeopardise the rights and wellbeing of others.

These behaviours are seen at school, in the workplace, in the community, at home and in the media. They can affect anyone - students, staff and parents or carers. Everyone must help to make a positive difference.

Education Queensland's school communities are working to make school environments safer, more supportive and respectful for all young people and adults - places where everyone is free from bullying, harassment, discrimination and violence.

Who to talk to

If bullying, harassment, discrimination or violence is happening at school, it is very important that students report the behaviour to someone who can help.

Here is a list of people who can be approached to discuss bullying and harassment issues.
Primary School	Secondary School
Class Teacher	Subject Teacher or Home Group Teacher Year Coordinator Behaviour Management Team Head of Department
The school's Guidance Officer
The school's Deputy Principal
The school's Principal
District office: Senior Guidance Officer
District office: Executive Director

Students should choose someone whom they feel they can trust and who can either help them resolve the problem themselves or who can follow the issue up on their behalf.

If the problem occurs outside school hours or students prefer to talk to someone who is not linked to the school, they can phone:
Kids Help Line 1800 551 800
Lifeline 13 11 14

The Bullying. No way! website

Education Queensland, in collaboration with school authorities from the Commonwealth, State and Territory governments and Catholic and Independent sectors, has developed a national website entitled Bullying. No way! to assist Australian school communities create learning environments where every student and community member is safe, supported, respected, valued - and free from bullying, violence, harassment and discrimination.

Based on the understanding that bullying is a shared issue with shared solutions, the website enables school communities, individual students, carers and staff to exchange ideas and useful strategies to achieve this objective.

The Bullying. No way! website comprises several sections:

The Issues: our rights, definitions and the role of power in relationships; understanding the deeper issues that breed and maintain bullying and harassment; creating positive change; and ideas for measuring the social wellbeing of our school community.
Ideas Box: evidence-based approaches for the whole school community, with links to relevant school examples; the roles and potential contributions of staff, students and carers; case studies of schools in action; school communities 'talking' about their issues and what they've done.
Talk Out: Frequently Asked Questions, moderated forums for school communities to discuss issues and share ideas, personal profiles and spotlights on hot topics such as cyber bullying.
Chill Out: an area for students to learn about the issues and become activists for positive change in their own lives and their school communities. Includes activities and galleries of artworks, poetry and writing contributed by students around the country.
Resources: access for carers, students, schools, education systems and researchers to information about Australia's educational resources for addressing bullying and harassment and creating safer environments for all.

Further information

SMS-PR-021: Safe, Supportive and Disciplined School Environment

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Bullying and harassment

Who to talk to

The Bullying. No way! website

Further information

Support Materials