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Bullying is also known as harassment or peer group pressure. Bullying can involve lots of different behaviour. It can involve:

  • Teasing
  • Spreading stories or lies about a person
  • Threats
  • Demanding money or favours
  • Excluding a person from a group or activity, or getting other people to exclude someone
  • Forcing a person to do something they do not want to
  • Damaging or taking someone’s belongings
  • Physically touching or hurting a person
  • Any form of harassment or discrimination based on disability, gender, sex, race or religion

Bullying is any of the above behaviours or actions which occur repeatedly and are done intentionally.  

Other sources

Fair Work Ombudsman - Bullying & harassment

Everyone has a right not to be bullied or harassed at work. There are national anti-bullying laws and state or territory health and safety bodies that can help people with bullying and harassment in the workplace. If you're not sure if you're covered by the state or territory laws or the national laws, see Who is protected from bullying in the workplace. For more information on ...
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Lawstuff - Bullying at school

This page is based on the law about bullying at public schools in Victoria. Bullying is never okay no matter what school you go to. If you attend a private school and need information about bullying and what you can do about it you'll find the information on this page helpful. If you have further questions about bullying you can also send us a Lawmail. Please include the name of you...
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The Law Handbook - Bullying and assault

Schools have a legal obligation to address bullying behaviour of pupils and importantly, to provide support for both the victim and the perpetrator. Bullying may or may not be physical. Physical bullying may amount to assault or battery which are both civil wrongs as well as crimes in Australia.

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The Law Handbook - Bullying at work

New remedies for workplace bullying apply to workers in general, including contractors, but not all business in Victoria. Legal advice is recommended. From 1 January 2014 the FW Act provides a scheme for a worker to obtain a remedy to stop bullying at work. The scheme applies to a wider range of workers than persons in employment relationships. The scheme applies to contractors, sub-contractors...
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Victoria Legal Aid - Discrimination, harassment and bullying

It is against the law to: discriminate against someone because of a personal characteristic protected by the law, including a person with a disability sexually harass someone vilify a person or group of people on the basis of their race or religion behave in a way that is racially offensive or abusive to a person or group of people based on their race, colour, national...
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Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission - Bullying in the workplace

Bullying and harassment can be discrimination when it happens because of someone's disability, race, sexual orientation, age, physical features or any other protected attribute under the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. Bullying and harassment can be verbal, physical or in writing, and includes behaviour that intimidates, degrades or humiliates another person. This can be a form of unfavourable ...
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Youth Central - Bullying

Bullying describes a range of harmful and aggressive behaviours that deprive other individuals and groups of their rights. Bullying can include: People calling you names Threats and intimidation Being teased Being hit or attacked Having rumours spread about you Being ignored or left out Having your belongings damaged or stolen Cyber bullying ...
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Youth Central - Bullying & violence at work

Everyone has the right to feel safe at work without the risk of getting injured. You should not be threatened, harassed or bullied at work.

If you’re the victim of workplace violence or crime, there’s help available.

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Youthlaw - Bullying at school

Are you being bullied at school? The following fact sheet tells you where you can get help and how the law can protect you.

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Youthlaw - Bullying at work

Are you being bullied at work? Sometimes bullying can be a criminal offence or it can involve discrimination or sexual harassment.

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