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26th October 2009 by Rusty Hodges

Have you ever heard the saying "Sticks and stone may break my bones but names will never hurt me." When I was growing up I used to hear it a lot. But you know this saying is fundamentally flawed. Whilst it may be possible to ignore teasing and walk away from the situation, Bullying should never be ignored. Sticks and stone can break bones, and names always hurt.
Bullying is a huge issue in Australia. Research suggests that as many as 20% of the Australian school population has faced some of bullying.

Bullying is not cool is any way, shape or form. In fact, it is just plain nasty! The perspective of many is changing, where once a blind eye was turned towards bullying now there are many initiatives and groups advocating for people affected by bullying.

One such initiative that is tackling this issue is ‘Bullying. No Way' (A collaboration between state, territory and commonwealth government education departments, Catholic and independent education sectors) with the aim to create a school environments where every student and staff is safe, supported, respected and valued - free from bullying, violence, harassment and discrimination.

This website is useful not just for teachers and schools but has many great resources to help young people from primary school through to senior high school.

Here are five tips to help tackle bullying in your context:
1) To learn more about the issues check out the ‘bullying.No way!' website... www.bullyingnoway.com.au
2) Be a friend to all -especially those you see without a friend. A Kind word can do miracles
3) Speak up when you see bullying taking place - and don't be ashamed to call it what it is.
4) Ask a teacher, parents, youth leader for help. Telling an adult about what happened can help ‘unravel' a situation
5) Take the lead - tell an adult (teacher/youth leader) that you want to ‘take a stand and lend a hand' to stop bullying.
- ask for help in starting a campaign to reduce bullying
- find out how your school handles bullying (if there is no statement or process, ask your school to develop a process)
- Be creative in spreading the word that bullying is not cool!!!

For more resources/ support:

For fact sheets on bullying and Cyber bullying
www.youthbeyondblue.com

NSW State Government School Anti-bullying Policy
www.schools.nsw.edu.au/studentsupport/studentwellbeing/anti-bullyingpolicy.php

Kids Helpline - free online / telephone counselling services for 5-25yr olds
www.kidshelp.com.au/teens

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