The state government and opposition are at odds over the status of funding of bullying programs in Victorian schools.
The stoush comes on the heels of the recent National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence.
Education Minister Martin Dixon said the government’s $4 million Bully Stoppers program has prompted thousands of students to pledge to be Bully Stoppers.
“And hundreds of thousands of parents, teachers and children have taken on the message of the Bully Stoppers movement – make a stand, lend a hand.”
Since the Bully Stoppers campaign began more than 150 schools have received Bully Stoppers grants to run anti-bullying programs.
Minister Dixon said four in five Victorian schools have also signed up to the government’s $10 million eSmart cyber safety initiative.
Footscray MP Marsha Thomson claims the government has stopped funding the program, run with the Alannah and Madeleine Foundation to promote online safety for students and help schools combat cyber-bullying.
“The funding for schools to participate in this program dried up in 2013 and the Napthine Government appears not to care,” she said.
Ms Thomson said Bully Stoppers grants have also dried up, leaving students at risk of bullying and cyberbullying.
But Mr Dixon said funding for Bully Stoppers and E-Smart will continue into 2015.
“Daniel Andrews and Labor have been caught red-handed lying to the Victorian community about funding for bullying programs,” he said.
“The Coalition is committed to these programs, and I expect programs that address such an important community issue would enjoy bipartisan support.”
Kids Helpline general manager Wendy Protheroe said bullying and cyberbullying were extremely serious issues for children and young people.
“Last year the most downloaded topics from the Kids Helpline website were cyberbullying and bullying, highlighting the growing demand from children, young people and parents and carers to find evidence based support on the issue,” she said.
Kids Helpline: www.kidshelp.com.au or 1800 55 1800.
