Bullying

In reply to the Hon. F. PANGALLO (2 August 2018).

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer): I have been advised:

1. Schools have continued to have access to antibullying support and services, including specific services tailored to gender diverse, intersex and sexually diverse students, post the cessation of the funding agreement for the Safe Schools Anti-Bullying Initiative (SSAI) on 13 July 2018.

Schools can contact the department's Engagement and Wellbeing team via a dedicated email box and phone number to receive prompt assistance, discuss their particular needs and be provided with the appropriate support. This may include policy advice, specialist consultancy, staff training and links to other services.

This interim initiative was designed and implemented to ensure that there was continued support following the cessation of the funding agreement for the SSAI, and that the wellbeing of students was not compromised.

This will provide time for the department to work with schools, parents and young people to develop and implement the department's broader antibullying strategy. This strategy will provide universal supports for all students, as well as targeted supports to students at higher risk of bullying for any reason.

2. Schools currently have access to antibullying resources and programs through a number of means. This supports schools to educate students about bullying and respond to bullying concerns in the school community.

The department has recently provided $298,000 to support schools to implement the PEACE Pack antibullying program developed by researchers at Flinders University. This is an evidence-based program that has been demonstrated to be effective in reducing bullying in schools. It has been implemented in Australia and internationally.

Over 30 schools have been supported to implement the PEACE Pack program and contribute to further development of the antibullying curriculum and resources for primary schools.

The Sammy D Foundation has been funded $705,000 (excluding GST) over three years to deliver their antibullying, violence prevention and drug education programs in 210 schools.

The antibullying program True Colours is consistent with the Australian curriculum and will be delivered to 45 primary schools.

The Carly Ryan Foundation has been funded $660,000 (excluding GST) to deliver the Project Connect program to 150 school communities.

In 2017, $212,000 in grants was provided to schools so that schools could engage a range of online safety programs and services, including cyberbullying programs.

Student education about bullying and online safety is supported through the South Australia's Keeping Safe: Child Protection Curriculum. The department's child protection curriculum and resources teach children about respectful relationships, recognising and reporting abuse, responsible use of technology and cyberbullying.

Schools can also access evidence-based antibullying resources through the national Bullying No Way! website and the national Student Wellbeing Hub.

3. The Alannah and Madeline Foundation eSmart Schools program provides a model for school staff to audit, plan, implement and maintain their responses to online safety, cyberbullying and bullying.

South Australian schools have not indicated a preference for the eSmart program over other programs and services available. In 2017, the department provided $212,000 in grants to 53 public schools to implement an accredited online safety program such as eSmart Schools. Most schools chose to engage other services and providers to meet the needs of their students, staff and families.

The department takes a whole-of-school approach to bullying that is consistent with national and state wellbeing frameworks and best practice antibullying research and evidence.

Rather than using generic tools and templates, the department is developing resources, tools and templates tailored to the South Australian context and departmental requirements for public schools. This will support schools to implement comprehensive approaches that address all forms of bullying in their local community and meet departmental policy requirements.

4. The government has funded the Carly Ryan Foundation $660,000 (excluding GST) over three years to deliver the Project Connect workshops on online safety and healthy relationships to school communities.

The workshop on online safety is suitable for Year 5 through to Year 12 students, and the healthy relationships workshop is suitable for Year 8 to Year 12 students.

The program will be evaluated to ensure that it meets the stated goals of empowering students to make wise choices, to look after their digital reputation and keep themselves and others safe while navigating the internet, apps and forming their own relationships both online and offline.

5. The department collects behavioural records arising from bullying incidents in public schools, not on the individual number of bullying incidents.

In 2017, there were 15,422 behavioural responses recorded in public schools related to physical, verbal and written bullying behaviours. This figure overestimates the actual number of individual bullying incidents, as more than one student may be involved in an incident.

There were also 668 behaviour records documented in public schools for cyber-related misbehaviours. This figure includes cyberbullying as well as other online misbehaviours such as students accessing inappropriate content.

Compared to 2016 data, there has been a 2% decrease in the number of cyber-related misbehaviours including cyberbullying, and a 20% decrease in relation to physical, verbal and written bullying misbehaviours.