Bullying and harassment can affect a person's wellbeing, health and confidence - and their ability to study and participate in learning activities. It's important to report it so that it can be stopped it can be stopped and you can get help.
On this page:
Before making a report
Where to make a report
Before making a report
It will help if you write down as many details as you can so that when you make your report you can recall the details and it will be easier for you to answer questions. Make notes about:
- what happened
- when it happened
- where it happened
- who was involved
- who saw it happen.
If a website or mobile phone was used as part of the bullying it will help with tracking and blocking people engaging in the bullying behaviour if you can:
- save messages and details of the senders - if you are the person who was bullied and you don't want to keep reading the messages, ask someone you trust save them for you
- provide information about which websites or social networks were used
- provide the name of your internet service provider or mobile phone provider.
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Where to make a report
Schools
Feedback and complaints about a preschool or school can be made to the school, the region or the Parent Complaint Unit.
Training providers and universities
Use the information you noted down about the bullying and harassment to make a report to the training provider or university.
TAFE SA provides information on their website about Harassment and bullying which includes information on how to report it.
The University of South Australia has a Discrimination and Harassment Grievance Procedures (Students) policy that provides information to students on their options and how to report discrimination and harassment.
Flinders University has a No Bullying at Flinders policy that advises staff and students on how to report bullying and where to get support and further information.
Adelaide University provides information about fair treatment and how to deal with unfair treatment such as bullying and harassment.
Police
Bullying and harassment includes activities that are against the law and should be reported to the police. these include producing or broadcasting child pornography or suicide materials, blackmail, racial vilification, and unlawful operation of a computer including e-crimes.
Police officers have the power to confiscate a mobile phone or computer if an image held on the device may be used as evidence of a crime. Such devices may be kept by the police until the action comes before a court.
Website administrators and mobile phone providers
If the bullying occurred online you can usually make an abuse report or contact the system administrator or service. Even if the bully cannot be identified, they can usually be blocked from the service.
More information
On this site
Bullying and harassment
Feedback and complaints about a preschool or school
Keeping children safe
Other websites
Cybersafety help, Cybersmart
Four kinds of bullying
Be a supportive bystander
REACHOUT.com
Legislation
South Australian legislation
Australian legislation - ComLaw
Contact
Cybersafety Contact Centre 1800 880 176