Media Release: BRACKS GOVERNMENT SPONSORS NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BULLYING

FROM THE MINISTER FOR SKILLS

DATE: Tuesday, September 16, 2003

BRACKS GOVERNMENT SPONSORS NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BULLYING

The Victorian Government and the Alannah and Madeline Foundation have joined forces to address the issue of school bullying.

The Minister for Education Services, Jacinta Allan, tonight announced a $31,000 sponsorship of the Alannah and Madeline Foundation’s national conference on bullying in November.

Ms Allan said she was determined to see the “traditional school bully” become an endangered species.

“The Alannah and Madeline Foundation is widely recognised as a leader in working with school communities across Australia to support children who are victims of violence, and in getting the message across that bullying is harmful,” Ms Allan said.

“We know that one in three Victorians have experienced one or more incidents of bullying and that this behaviour has a negative and long-term effect on victims.

“Bullying is a social issue and it is time to bring it to the attention of each and every Australian, as these negative behaviours in our community can lead to long-term health implications.”

Ms Allan said bullying was not isolated to the schoolyard and the whole community must work together to address the issue.

“The Bracks Government has provided $49.5 million in this year’s budget to employ 256 primary school welfare officers. The first of these teachers will be in our schools in term 4,” she said.

The conference, “The Best Years of Our Lives…or are they?” will bring together national and international experts to discuss the impact of bullying, and ways schools and communities can deal with it. It will:
§ Examine the research on bullying;
§ Focus on practical and effective strategies and programs being used; and,
§ Make recommendations to government and industry on future directions.

Ms Allan praised the Alannah and Madeline Foundation’s Better Buddies initiative, created by a teacher for use in schools.

The program encourages positive behaviour and builds resilience by using older children as mentors and role models for their younger peers, supported by teachers and parents.

Ms Allan said the program complemented the great work already being done in schools, and would help schools to translate policies and programs into practical ideas.

“The Alannah and Madeline Foundation has taken the initiative to build a community voice through the National Coalition Against Bullying and the November conference, which will bring it to the attention of the Australian community.

“Through this sponsorship, and through our ongoing work with the Alannah and Madeline Foundation and VicHealth we are giving schools and communities the support they need to tackle bullying.”

Premier Steve Bracks is a patron of the Alannah and Madeline Foundation’s Better Buddies Initiative.