This is what it's like
In June 2025, we made a submission to the Federal Government’s Anti-Bullying Rapid Review, amplifying the voices of young Australians through our National Youth Collective.
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At PROJECT ROCKIT, we’ve spent nearly two decades standing alongside young people to tackle bullying, hate and prejudice. But too often, the systems designed to address bullying overlook the very people experiencing it.
In June 2025, we made a submission to the Federal Government’s Anti-Bullying Rapid Review, amplifying the voices of young Australians through the lens of our National Youth Collective – 43 diverse young people (aged 12–21) who co-lead anti-bullying solutions with us.
So, what do young people want you to know?
This submission lifts the lid on what bullying really looks and feels like today – and what is and isn't working in how schools and systems respond. It also offers our recommendations for a new national standard.
"You tell the teachers what happened, they’re like, 'Ok, let’s go into a room and try and solve this by talking to them,' and you’re like – 'I actually feel unsafe in a room with this person.’ They just don’t realise the extent to which your mental health is actually impacted."
– Lucia, 21 years old, National Youth Collective
Key takeaways:
Young people experience harm that doesn’t fit narrow definitions. Whether it’s exclusion from group chats, being the target of ‘jokes,’ or subtle social dynamics, these behaviours can deeply impact wellbeing — even when they’re not labelled “bullying.”
Bullying flows between digital and physical spaces. A comment in a group chat becomes a stare in the hallway. A fight filmed on school grounds becomes viral online. Young people need responses that recognise this interconnected reality.
Current school responses often do more harm. Mediation, suspension, and documentation processes may overlook the safety, dignity, and agency of the young person most affected — especially if they already experience marginalisation.
Policies aren't prevention. Posters and policies aren’t enough. Prevention activities must be ongoing and relational — building respect, empathy, peer connection, and belonging at every level of school life.
Young people are ready to lead. Co-designed, peer-led initiatives like PROJECT ROCKIT offer scalable solutions — not just to respond to harm, but to transform culture.