Criminology Research Council grant ; (10/00-01)
This study examined the work that has been undertaken by a sample of Australian schools and state educational agencies in addressing the problem of peer victimisation in schools. Interviews were conducted with school representatives from a total of 40 schools in New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria. The schools, both primary and secondary, were selected from those that were known to have carried out social surveys among students (and, in some cases, among teachers and parents) to determine the nature and prevalence of peer victimisation and to solicit views on how it could be countered.
In addition, representatives from education departments of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia were also interviewed on the matter. The report provides a description and analysis of what is being done by the schools, especially in relevant areas of policy, preven-tion and methods of intervention, and also an examination of the views expressed by school and education department representatives on how the problem can best be addressed.