Students > Support > Wellbeing Services > Wellbeing Resource Hub > Safer Community resources > Bullying and victimisation

Bullying and victimisation

Bullying can take many forms, including:

  • jokes
  • teasing
  • nicknames
  • emails
  • pictures
  • text messages
  • social isolation
  • ignoring people
  • unfair work practices
  • involve many different forms of unreasonable behaviour, which can be obvious (overt) or hidden (covert)
  • be intentional or unintentional.

Sometimes people do not realise that their behaviour can be harmful to others. This does not make it OK.

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying can occur in many ways:

  • abusive texts and emails
  • messages, images or videos including image-based abuse (sometimes incorrectly referred to as 'revenge porn'), where a person distributes or posts false, humiliating or intimate/ sexualised videos or photos of you without your consent
  • imitating others online by using an alias
  • humiliating, harassing or threatening people and/ or their family or friends online
  • hacking and misusing another person's email accounts
  • nasty online gossip and chat.

For more information on cyber abuse, cyberbullying and image-based abuse. Please view the eSafety Commissioner's website.

Victimisation

Victimisation is against the law. It is the action of singling someone out for cruel or unjust treatment. This may be due to that person:

  • asserting their rights
  • refusing to do something
  • making a complaint or helping someone else make a complaint.

Victimisation also comes in the form of threatening someone (such as a witness) who may be involved in investigating a concern or complaint.

This is a very serious breach of policy and may result in formal discipline against the perpetrator.

Support and resources

Internal resources

  • Safer Community: Contact Safer Community if witness or experience unacceptable behaviour
  • Counselling Support: Provides counselling support on a range of issues that may be affecting a person’s wellbeing
  • Use our crisis line for out of hours Mental Health and Wellbeing Support. Phone: 1300 146 307 or text: 0488 884 100. This service operates 5.00 pm–9.00 am on weekdays and 24 hours during weekends and public holidays.

External resources

  • Emergency: In an emergency ring: 000 and then security: 9479 2222
  • Lifeline – For anyone experiencing a personal crisis 24 hours a day, call: 13 11 14
  • Beyond Blue – 24/7 phone support, chat online service and resources for those needing support
  • Headspace – Free online and phone support and counselling to young people aged 12–25 years old and their families and friends
  • Switchboard – For LGBTIQA+ specific support and referral.