There's a new 'rapid review' into school bullying. Research shows we need to involve the whole school to stop it
About one in four students report being in Australian schools.
Children can feel anxious and excluded, stop sleeping and eating well, and lose interest in school. There are serious potential long-term effects, which include anxiety and depression. Being bullied is also a risk factor for suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Following the 2024 death of , the federal government wants to develop a national standard to address bullying in schools.
It has just announced a "rapid review" of , to be done in six months (though not before the federal election). This will look at what schools currently do to address bullying and what they should be doing.
What does the research tell us works when it comes to addressing bullying in schools?
What is bullying?
that is aggressive, intentional, repetitive and unprovoked.
It also involves a power imbalance in favor of the perpetrator.
As well as physical abuse, these behaviors can involve verbal teasing, harassment, damaging property, and antisocial behaviors such as spreading gossip or excluding someone. It can happen in person or online.
Initial responses to bullying
Much of the early research response to incidents on school bullying focused on the perpetrator and victim, and what the school to the bullying incident.
This involved senior teachers such as the principal and school counselor meeting with the perpetrator and victim and their parents/guardians. Here they would work out strategies to try and make amends and prevent future incidents.
For example, a perpetrator may have had to apologize to the victim and take on additional responsibilities in the school. They may also be .
But these responses . This includes the reasons why a child might bully another as well as its broader impact. Often other students are also inadvertently involved in or . Seeing someone else being bullied can be upsetting, students may feel angry, sad or concerned they may also be bullied.
The shift to prevention
So more recent the importance of prevention to reduce rates of school bullying. This anti-bullying policies, classroom rules and discussions about bullying as well as information for parents.
This relies on what researchers call a "". Instead of bullying being seen as the responsibility of the principal or other senior teachers to deal with a few "at risk" kids, it is the responsibility of all staff, students and parents—and even the broader community.
This means students are educated to understand what is and is not bullying and what to do if they witness it. It also means teachers have clear policies to follow and a clear understanding of "gateway behaviors," which can escalate into bullying. Parents likewise know what to do if their child is being bullied or the kinds of behaviors that can lead up to it—such as name calling or eyerolling.
Other measures a dedicated staff member to champion anti-bullying measures in the school and partnerships with community members and organizations. This could be junior sporting clubs or even the school crossing guard (who can provide information about antisocial behaviors they observe).
The aim is to create a school culture which is safe and , where harmful behavior is clearly understood and dealt with early if it happens.
The importance of data
Current research the importance of schools regularly collecting, analyzing and acting on data about bullying and the school environment. This enables schools to identify changes within the school environment before they escalate to bullying.
Schools already collect data about their students and behaviors, including attendance, playground incidents and their attitudes to school. But many .
Listening to students
Research anti-bullying efforts are more effective when students are involved.
This between students, families and school staff, and gives students a sense of ownership about solutions. Importantly it also enables young people to share their perspectives about what will work in their lives and classrooms.
This could include schools regularly asking students about bullying and other issues they are having at schools and genuinely considering their suggestions about how to improve both prevention and responses.
Provided by The Conversation
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