Research Released on Coping with Bullying

Media Release, The Hon. Julia Gillard, MP, 17 January 2010; The Advertiser, 18 January 2010; Daily Telegraph, 18 January 2010; Herald Sun, 18 January 2010

The Australian Government Minister for Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Ms Julia Gillard, has released research into a conciliation method for resolving cases of bullying without the use of punishment.

The University of South Australia was commissioned to review the Method of Shared Concern approach to bullying, which seeks to empower students to become aware of and to deal with bullying by establishing acceptable and durable solutions that will prevent bullying from continuing.  

Applying the Method of Shared Concern in Australian Schools – an Evaluative Study evaluated the use of the approach in a sample of 17 Australian schools, and concluded that outcomes of the approach were ‘generally positive’.

However, parent groups expressed concern that the program might permit bullies to escape the consequences of their actions, and indicated that all bullies needed to be held accountable for their actions.

Ms Gillard indicated that the findings of the report would be included in a review of the National Safe Schools Framework.

Visit the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations website to view a copy of the report.

 

 

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