Schools, workplaces and organisations across the state used the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence on Friday to raise awareness of the dangers and consequences of bullying. 

To coindice with the day, Attorney-General Vanessa Goodwin announced that bullying could soon be covered under criminal law and that restraining orders could be introduced to protect victims of serious bullying. 

The decision came following research from the Tasmania Law Reform Institute which stated that the Criminal Code could be amended to cover serious bullying behaviour. 

The TLRI’s report found that instances of suicides attributed to bullying had strengthened community desire to see the law able to deter bullying behaviour.

Dr Goodwin announced that the government would progress legislative amendments and would develop amendments to ensure the most serious offences were captured by the Criminal Code. 

She said the government would consult with the community and legal stakeholders during the development of legislation.

“Serious and relentless personally-targeted bullying can have a devastating impact on a person’s life,” Dr Goodwin said. 

“The proposed legislative provisions will be updated to ensure that disciplinary action in schools sits within a broader behaviour management approach.” 

At Prospect High School, the community came together to sign a pledge to put an end to bullying in their school community. 

Year 10 student Danika Dawson led the campaign and said it was important for all schools to try and put an end to bullying as rates continued to increase in Tasmania.

“It’s a growing problem in my generation and sometimes people don’t realise that even small things can affect people,” Danika said. 

“A lot of people have been getting really involved in the campaign which is really good because it’s something that needs to be changed.”