CYBERBULLYING

In reply to Mr PISONI (Unley) (27 June 2008) (Estimates Committee B).

The Hon. J.D. LOMAX-SMITH (Adelaide—Minister for Education, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the City of Adelaide): I have been provided with the following advice:

There is no specific 'cyber bullying' offence. The term is essentially an expression with no legal definition. Incidents are recorded pursuant to Section 19AA2 of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act (CLCA) (stalking) and Section 19(1) and 19(2) of the CLCA (unlawful threats). Crime analysis for the fiscal year ending 30 June 2008 identifies eight incidents representing cyber bullying in schools recorded under the above sections.

The Department of Education and Children's Services is committed to eliminating all incidents of cyber bullying.

150,000 pamphlets were distributed in June 2007, providing advice to parents. This was an important initiative as it recognises that bullying including cyber bullying occurs both inside and outside of schools, and therefore requires a whole school and community response. However, this was only one measure put in place to deal with cyber bullying.

In 2005 the government established the Coalition to decrease bullying harassment and violence in South Australia (the Coalition). The Coalition has representatives from the three schooling sectors as well as eminent international researchers Professor Ken Rigby, Professor Phillip Slee, Dr Barbara Spears and Dr Shoko Yoneyama.

The Keeping Safe Child Protection Curriculum was launched last year and includes sections on internet and telephone safety.

South Australia is a leader in its recognition of cyber bullying as an issue and action to address cyber safety and cyber bullying. DECS will continue to work with Australian Government agencies, other states and territories, and the catholic and independent sectors to address this issue.