Tools- of Changes

Reducing Victimisation and Delivering Social Value: a behavioural evaluation of the Stand up for Respect program

The Stand Up for Respect pilot program, delivered in Queensland, Australia, achieved a statistically significant reduction in student-reported victimisation and an increase in student confidence to intervene in bullying.

The Stand Up for Respect pilot program was delivered as a whole-of-school bullying prevention initiative in Queensland, Australia. The program aimed to reduce bullying victimisation, foster respectful relationships and contribute to the long-term prevention of domestic and family violence. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining pre- and post-surveys with students to assess changes in bullying behaviours and victimisation. The pilot achieved a statistically significant reduction in student-reported victimisation and an increase in student confidence to intervene in bullying. However, no statistically significant change was self-reported for bullying perpetration according to the Olweus (2006) scale. The SROI analysis estimated a social value of $36,241, demonstrating cost savings for the Queensland community through reduced domestic violence risk. This study highlights the importance of early intervention and the potential of bullying prevention programs to drive behaviour change in school settings.