The petition of the undersigned citizens of Act draws the attention of the House to the fact that:
• Bullying now takes many forms.
• Laws are inadequate and do not reflect developments in technology and social networking.
• Suicide is the leading cause of death in young people in Australia.
• The Crimes Act 1900 section 35 and Education Act 2004 require amendment to include bullying, and cyber-bullying to make these punishable acts.
• Bullying is reported to cost the economy $36 billion per year.
Your Petitioners therefore request that the House:
• Acknowledge laws are insufficient to protect physical and mental safety.
• Acknowledge the deaths of Jessica tolhurst [14] and Charlotte Dawson and the public campaigns that ensued calling for bullying-specific laws.
• Acknowledge many recent cases of suicide purportedly induced by bullying.
• Recognise 1 in 4 Australian children report being bullied, but many instances go unreported, with research revealing perceived lack of adult interest as the reason.
• Acknowledge data indicating an increase of 657% in youth self harm and suicide.
• The Crimes Act 1900 section 35 to include:
o bullying as a criminal offence;
o cyber-bullying as a criminal offence;
o bullying or cyber-bullying resulting in psychological harm as a criminal offence; and
o inciting suicide and self harm by bullying, cyber-bullying or stalking.
• Amend the Education Act 2004 to include bullying as a form of unacceptable behaviour punishable in accordance with the Crime Act 1900 section 35
