Dolly’s Dream welcomes the release of the Queensland Audit Office’s ‘Protecting Students from Bullying’ report this week, which highlights the alarming prevalence and impact of bullying in Queensland schools. The findings reinforce the urgent need to address bullying to safeguard the wellbeing of our children and young people.
The statistics presented in the report are deeply concerning. Over 76,000 bullying incidents and 61,000 harassment incidents were reported in Queensland schools in the past year alone, with children as young as those in Prep being affected.
The surge in cyberbullying, which has risen by more than 41% since 2013, highlights the evolving and pervasive nature of bullying in the digital age, impacting thousands of young Australians.
Equally troubling are the findings that bullying disproportionately affects children in rural, regional and remote areas, First Nations students and those from disadvantaged backgrounds, emphasising the systemic inequities that exacerbate the issue.
Through our work in schools across Australia, we see firsthand the challenges schools face in addressing bullying. The demand for our anti-bullying and digital safety workshops to be delivered in schools far exceeds our capacity to deliver. Support is desperately needed.
We commend the Queensland Department of Education for acknowledging the gaps identified in the report and committing to meaningful action. The planned development of an integrated anti-bullying strategy in schools is a positive step forward. However, these initiatives must be matched with a whole school approach, genuine community collaboration, sufficient funding, and a commitment to ongoing evaluation to ensure real and lasting change.
We look forward to seeing more inclusive environments in schools where every student feels supported, protected, and valued. Our hope is that consistent, effective measures will emerge to ensure every child and young person can thrive without fear of bullying. Dolly’s Dream remains committed in its mission to change the culture of bullying through education and support, addressing the impacts of bullying, anxiety, depression, and youth suicide for young people and families nationwide.
