One in four children in Australian schools report being bullied.

Those who are victims of bullying often endure a range of emotions, including feelings of exclusion, as well as suffering from food and mental health issues. In response, the federal government aims to establish a national standard to combat bullying in schools. This follows the tragic suicide of Year 7 Santa Sabina student Charlotte O’Brien in September 2024.

The review is intended to assist schools who don’t have the necessary resources to manage these incidents effectively, as well as making schools a safer environment for all students.

To find out more, Razors Edge reporter Thomas Koutis spoke to Associate Professor Fiona MacDonald MAC, who is a principal research fellow at the Institute for Sustainable Industries and Livable Cities at Victoria University.