Bullying: It’s time to focus on solutions

All the anti-bullying campaigns in the world won't make a difference if children are surrounded by examples of adult discrimination and bullying. This means it is important to never make negative comments about other people's race, gender, sexuality, weight, appearance, name, accent, voice and so on.

Bullies need us, too:

I also want to emphasise another reason for putting a stop to bullying: The need to improve outcomes for the bullies themselves.

There is ample research to show that bullies are more likely to drop out of school, use drugs and alcohol and engage in criminal behaviour. They have a one in four chance of having a criminal record by the age of 30. Bullies need intervention by schools, parents and the community to help them curb their aggression.

Helpful resources:

• Bullyingnoway.com.au-a website filled with practical anti-bullying strategies for schools, including activities specifically designed for different groups, such as the whole school, individual classrooms, parents and students.

• National Safe Schools Framework (updated in 2011)-The Federal Government's vision and guiding principles to help schools develop a whole-school approach to preventing bullying; includes a resource manual featuring an audit tool, a review of the research and literature on bullying, and resources to help schools implement the framework.

• Kids Helpline, 1800 55 1800.

• Lifeline, 13 11 14.