Social Policy Research Centre
The Australian Government Department of Communications commissioned the UNSW Social Policy Research Centre, the University of South Australia, the University of Western Sydney, the Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre, and the National Children’s and Youth Law Centre to research youth exposure to, and management of, cyberbullying incidents in Australia.
The research aimed to provide the Australian Government with evidence about the desirability of whether to create a new, separate cyberbullying offence and in its consideration of a new civil enforcement regime.
Policy Design, Impact and Evaluation
- Project files
- Publicity
- Funding agency
- Collaborators
The findings are presented in three parts. Please click on the links below for the separate sections or see the synthesis report (PDF) for the collated findings.
Part A (PDF): The estimated prevalence of cyberbullying incidents involving Australian minors, based on a review of existing published research, including how such incidents are currently being dealt with.
Part B (PDF): The estimated prevalence of cyberbullying incidents involving Australian minors reported to police, community legal advice bodies and other related organisations, the nature of these incidents and how such incidents are currently being dealt with.
Part C* (PDF): An evidence-based assessment to determine, if a new simplified cyberbullying offence or a new civil enforcement regime were introduced, how that offence or regime could be implemented, in conjunction with the existing criminal offences, to have the greatest material deterrent effect.
*Please note this section is supported by four appendices.
Appendix A (PDF): Literature review – International responses to youth cyberbullying and current Australian legal context
Appendix B (PDF): Findings of research with adult stakeholders
Appendix C (PDF): Findings of research with youth
Appendix D (PDF): Supplementary data and analysis
Australian Government Department of Communications