Page 165 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 13 February 2019
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It is also why A step up for our kids has such a strong focus on early intervention, prevention and supporting families to stay together wherever possible.
Again I thank Mrs Kikkert for bringing forward this motion and look forward to proving further updates to the Assembly on this important work in the future.
MS LE COUTEUR (Murrumbidgee) (3.30): I thank Mrs Kikkert for bringing forward this motion. I note the amendment put forward by Minister Stephen-Smith, which I support. Of course it is right that we need to focus on children aged between eight and 12 or older because these are the kids that have traditionally and historically fallen through the gaps of a range of service systems.
Over the years there has been much focus on younger children and the early years, as should be the case, and also on older kids aged 18 or older who are eligible for a range of services, although arguably we should not call them kids anymore. The middle years are an important period in child development and can be affected by a range of influences, including how they are going at school, whether they are experiencing bullying, what is happening in their family home and/or whether they have stable accommodation.
Although it is debatable at what age children or young people are most likely to experience bullying, the research I have come across indicates that, at whatever age it occurs, the impacts can be devastating. A national study undertaken in 2009 indicated that one in four—actually 27 per cent—year 4 to year 9 Australian students reported being bullied every few weeks or more often and that peers are present as onlookers in 85 per cent of bully interactions and play a central role in the bullying process. And for a local context we just need to think about question time today, where bullying was a substantial focus.
One in four kids have been bullied—I personally suspect it is higher—and more than eight out of every 10 kids have stood by and witnessed it. Notwithstanding that different studies use different methodologies and research design and that there are varied reporting and data collection tools, we can be pretty sure this is a significant issue affecting today’s young people.
The impacts of such bullying include the development of mental health issues such as depression and anxiety—which are on the rise in young people—or worse; disengaging from school; or engaging in self-harm and suicidal behaviour, which for some could lead to homelessness. There is no question that bullying must be addressed.
Teachers and adults working with young children should be trained to identify, understand and successfully manage bullying episodes. Assessment of bullying in schools should reflect the age group of the children or adolescents involved and should focus on different forms of bullying that can occur at all ages. We must be aware that different age groups require more intensive prevention and intervention efforts and may require increased focus on specific forms of bullying.
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