❓ This WA parliamentary question seeks data on reported assaults and physical threats against public school staff from 2017-2021, including details on affected staff, weapon involvement, medical assistance required, and police reports. The answer provides the requested data and caveats.
AnsweredQoN 672Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(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?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
10 May 2022
Responded by
Minister for Education and Training
Response time
2 days
(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.
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.
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