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Parliamentary Questions


Question On Notice No. 672 asked in the Legislative Council on 6 April 2022 by Hon Donna Faragher

Question Directed to the: Minister for Education and Training
Parliament: 41 Session: 1


Question

(1) I refer to Western Australian Government primary and secondary schools and the Department of Education, and I ask, how many incidents of assault or physical threatening behaviour against public school staff, including teachers, were reported to the Department in the following years:
(a) 2017;
(b) 2018;
(c) 2019;
(d) 2020; and
(e) 2021?
(2) Of those figures referred to in (1)(a-e), please advise:
(a) how many incidents were reported to occur against a school principal and/or deputy principal;
(b) how many incidents involved a weapon or physical object;
(c) how many incidents required medical assistance; and
(d) how many incidents were reported to the police?

Answered on 10 May 2022

(1)-(2) 

Since the 2019 launch of the No Voice to Violence campaign schools have been actively encouraged to report violent incidents, so an increase in reporting was expected. 

Year

1(a)-(e)

2(a)

2(b)

2(c)

2(d)

2017

2,002

812

661

441

241

2018

2,055

876

657

431

241

2019

2,638

1091

942

532

251

2020

2,163

1022

807

486

197

2021

2,577

1400

1,060

523

249

  

Notes:

1.      An assault includes any form of contact.

2.      Physical threatening behaviour is where another person fears injury or harm without actual contact.

3.      A single incident can involve more than one staff member such as a school principal and deputy principal.

4.      Police notification does not necessarily mean the WA Police attended the school.

5.      Incidents that required medical assistance may include assistance provided to staff and/or students.

6.      Over the last 18 months quality assurance processes have been put in place to review existing data. As a result, data previously provided may differ slightly.