Hon Donna Faragher asked about reported incidents of assault or physical threatening behaviour against public school staff in 2023. The response details the number of incidents, including those against principals/deputy principals, involving weapons, requiring medical assistance, and reported to police.

AnsweredQoN 1944Legislative Council
Asked
13 March 2024
Portfolio
Education

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to Western Australian Government primary and secondary schools, and the Department of Education, and I ask: (a) how many incidents of assault or physical threatening behaviour against public school staff, including teachers, were reported to the Department in 2023; and (b) of those figures referred to in (a), please advise: (i) how many incidents were reported to occur against a school principal and/or deputy principal; (ii) how many incidents involved a weapon or physical object; (iii) how many incidents required medical assistance; and (iv) how many incidents were reported to police?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
16 April 2024
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Minister for Education
Response time
5 days
a.       2,756
b.      i.  1,175
ii. 1,123
iii.   730
iv.   240
A single incident can involve more than one staff member such as a school principal and deputy principal. Incidents that require medical assistance may include assistance provided to either staff and/or students as both parties may have been subjected to assault or physically threatening behaviour in the same incident. Medical assistance includes administering minor first aid such as ice packs, heat packs, Bandaids or asking the staff member to rest, and is not restricted to assistance provided by a medical practitioner.

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