Bullying, cyberbullying, peer abuse and victimisation are all categories of abuse which can and should be addressed using laws currently available for similar acts perpetrated as harassment and assault. Victoria has long used the stalking legislation to address bullying complaints and various other legal avenues have been adapted to punish and deter the abusers. It is suggested in the attached paper that the child protection legislation in every state should be adapted to incorporate bullying as a form of child abuse and applied to deal with the abusers.
Brodie’s law -protection in the workplace in Victoria
Bullies could face ten years in jail
www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/04/05/3182346.htm
Peer abuse as a legislated child protection issue for schools
VOL 10, NO 1, 2005, PP 59-79.AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF LAW & EDUCATION www.anzela.edu.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=55&Itemid=28