Bullying

For students and staff

Bullying is repeated unreasonable behaviour towards another person or group that creates a risk to their health and safety. It’s still bullying even if it’s not intentional.

Bullying can be verbal, physical, social or psychological, and includes:

offensive language
insulting someone about physical characteristics
teasing or telling jokes
hitting, hurting or shoving someone
continually intimidating, excluding or isolating another person.

The LGBTIQA+ community faces more discrimination, harassment and violence than average. We all need to be aware of this and understand which behaviours are considered harassment and bullying of LGBTIQA+ students and staff, and call them out where possible and safe to do so. These inappropriate behaviours take many forms and include:
- deliberately and repeatedly deadnaming a trans person (referring to them by their birth name)
- asking a trans person for their ‘real’ (previous) name
- intentionally not using a person’s pronouns (the ones they identify with)
- comments and questions about a person’s sex life, such as referring to the ‘man’ and ‘woman’ in a same-sex relationship
- questioning gender-diverse people about their personal gender affirmation surgery.
We understand you can make a mistake and unintentionally use a person’s incorrect name and pronouns, particularly right after their gender affirmation when the changes are new and possibly unknown. Under these circumstances, such a mistake is not considered bullying or harassment. But, once aware of the mistake, a quick apology, followed by the use of their correct name and pronouns, is an appropriate response.

Cyberbullying

When a bully uses technology, such as the internet, mobile phones or cameras, to hurt or embarrass someone, it’s called cyberbullying. This may involve making unpleasant comments about someone, spreading rumours, or sharing embarrassing videos or pictures of them.

What to do

If you feel safe and comfortable enough to do so, tell the person you find their bullying behaviour offensive and inappropriate.

If the situation becomes threatening or potentially dangerous, immediately call:

Monash Security on 03 9905 3333 (for immediate help on campus)
000 (for immediate help on or off campus).

If you experience, see or hear about any bullying behaviour, we encourage you to make a report online to the Safer Community Unit.

Getting support

More help and advice

Bullying and harassment information sheet (pdf, 0.1 mb): Read about what bullying is, what you can do about it and where you can go for help and support.
Bullying and harassment information booklet (pdf, 0.4 mb): Get information about different forms of bullying and harassment, your reporting options, when it's unlawful and what to do if you know someone who’s experienced it.