THE HON. BILL SHORTEN
LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION
MEMBER FOR MARIBYRNONG

THE HON KATE ELLIS MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR EDUCATION
SHADOW MINISTER FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD
MEMBER FOR ADELAIDE

NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION AGAINST BULLYING AND VIOLENCE SENDS A CLEAR MESSAGE OF SUPPORT TO ALL STUDENTS: YOU ARE NOT ALONE

On the sixth National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence, Labor is calling on political and community leaders to unite in sending a clear message to schools and students - bullying is never okay, and you never have to deal with bullies alone. 

The ongoing, divisive battle in the Government over Safe Schools is a reminder that more than ever, we cannot lose sight of the importance of eradicating bullying in our schools. 

Australian schools are among those with the highest reported incidence of bullying in the world. 

One in four students report being bullied every few weeks or more. 

One in five Australian children aged eight to 15 has experienced cyber bullying. 

80 per cent of Australian same-sex attracted and transgender students face verbal abuse and bullying at school, and same-sex attracted and transgender young Australians are six times more likely to die from suicide, with bullying and exclusion major factors in suicide attempts. 

These statistics should not be acceptable to any of us. 

Bullying isn't just kids not getting along. 

Bullying isn't just kids working stuff out. 

Bullying in all forms weakens our schools and it weakens our society. 

Each year, an average of 250 children and young people under 24 take their own life. That’s the equivalent of around 21 classrooms of young people. 

We owe it to our students to continue the fight against this scourge, and every leader should use today to consider these statistics and make a decision - will they stand up for the students they represent, or will they bow to a misinformed and dangerous agenda? 

FRIDAY, 18 MARCH 2016