Support with bullying for adults

Information is available to help:

• adults who have experienced bullying
• parents and carers
• teachers.

I'm an adult who has experienced bullying. What support is available for me?

Adults can experience bullying, discrimination and harassment. Support is available. You can get help now, or find out about support with workplace bullying and your legal rights.

Workplace bullying

The ReachOut website has information about workplace bullying, including different types of bullying at work, how it can affect your performance on the job and other things you need to know. You can find out about your rights-as well as about the need for employers to provide a safe workplace.

My legal rights

The Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has a complaint handling service that can investigate and resolve discrimination, harassment and bullying complaints that are covered by federal discrimination law. You can call 1300 656 419 to discuss a complaint, but complaints must be made in writing or by email. 

How can I get help now?

If you are in immediate danger and need to get to a hospital, call Triple Zero (000).

If you need support with your mental health, you can get in touch with a counsellor at Lifeline. Just call 13 11 14. There is also an online crisis support chat service that you may like to use.

beyondblue also offers support to people with depression, anxiety and related issues. You can call the beyondblue info line on 1300 22 4636 or email the info line. If you are deaf or have a hearing or speech disability, call through the National Relay Service:

TTY: Ph 133 677 and ask for 1300 22 4636.

Speak and Listen (SSR): Ph 1300 555 727 and ask for 1300 22 4636

Internet Relay: connect to www.relayservice.com.au and ask for 1300 22 4636.

I'm a parent or carer. Where can I get help?

• The Raising Children Network has information about cyberbullying for parents—including tips to help children avoid cyber bullies, how to spot cyberbullying and helping teens handle cyberbullying. You may also like to look at the Raising Children Network's guides about: what to do if you think your child is a bully, internet safety for children, mobile phone safety for children and picture tips for dealing with cyberbullying.
• Queensland Police has an online guide for parents with children who use the internet. It includes tips about using social networking websites, mobile phones, web cams and online gaming websites safely, as well as suggestions to keep your child safe online.
• ThinkUKnow is an internet safety program supported by the Australian Federal Police and Microsoft Australia. It delivers interactive training for parents, carers and teachers in Australian schools. The ThinkUKnow website has information about: technologies that are popular with kids—including popular terms that kids use on their phones; how you can help young people stay in control, including advice about app safety; how to report inappropriate, harmful or criminal activities that occur online or using a mobile device; and protecting your computer.
• The Australian Government's Cybersmart website has cybersafety resources for parents, including a guide to online safety and a quiz to see how ‘cybersmart’ you are.
• Carers can get support from Carers Queensland—the peak body that looks after carers in the state.

I'm a teacher. What resources are available to help me support students who have been bullied, as well as to teach students about bullying and respond to it?

You may like to look at:

• the Schools Gateway on the Australian Government's Cybersmart website. It includes teacher resources, technology guides, research and information about professional development for teachers at no cost to your school.
• resources for teachers on the Bullying. No Way! website. You can search for relevant teaching materials, get ideas for the classroom that are based on a cycle of investigating what is going on, then reflecting on it and making a difference; read about supporting a safe and inclusive environment; and find out what students, carers, staff and other members of school communities have to say about bullying.
• Education Queensland's information about providing safe, supportive and disciplined learning environments, cybersafety and schools and resources for teachers and school staff.
• the MindMatters resources from the Australian Government. MindMatters is a national mental health initiative that focuses on delivering support to secondary school students. You can read about the whole-of-school approach and professional development opportunities. There are also resources that you can download, including CommunityMatters—a draft booklet that discusses disability issues for students.
• the KidsMatter website. You can find out about resources to strengthen the mental health and wellbeing of children during early childhood, the transition to school and while they are in primary school.
• beyondblue's SenseAbility program. It aims to support young Australians developing and maintaining emotional and psychological resilience. The program includes 7 modules and you can download a free copy. A captioned DVD is also available for young people who are deaf or have limited hearing.
• UnitingCare Community's Peer Skills Workshop and Program, as well as Facilitator Training. Peer Skills is a program that focuses on equipping young people with life skills—such as empathy, coping, interpersonal and problem solving skills—that they can use to help them and their social group within the school environment.

More information

• The Queensland Government, along with other state and territory governments, has worked with the Australian Government to create the National Safe Schools Framework. It provides schools with a vision and a set of guiding principles for behaviour.
• Let's Fight it Together is a film about cyberbullying designed to help young people, their parents and carers and teachers. You can order a free copy online, or by calling the Cybersafety Contact Centre on 1800 880 176.
• Better Buddies is a program that pairs new students with an older buddy at primary schools in Australia. It encourages values such as caring for others, friendliness, respect and valuing difference. Schools can register to get involved-and more information is available for teachers, parents and kids on the Better Buddies website.