Students

Equal Opportunity and what it means to Students

In Victoria, the right to a ‘fair go’ is one of our most important values. However some people treat others unfairly (discriminate against them) or harass (hassle or pick on) someone because of their race, religious beliefs, sex, age or sexual orientation.

Every student has a right to be part of a safe and inclusive school that is free of bullying, discrimination, sexual harassment, and vilification.

Bullying
Discrimination
Sexual Harassment
Racial and Religious Vilification

Other Topics:
	How do I raise an issue or make a complaint?
	Play by the Rules
	Fun Interactivities
	Useful Contacts and Resources

Bullying

Bullying is unreasonable behaviour that is intimidating, threatening and/or humiliating. It is behaviour that is repeated over time or occurs as part of a pattern of behaviour. Bullying occurs when a person or a group of people offends, hurts and harms another person. Bullying includes physical bullying such as hitting; verbal bullying such as name calling; and indirect bullying such as spreading rumours.

Discrimination

Discrimination is treating someone unfairly because of a personal characteristic. In Victoria it is against the law to discriminate against someone because of a range of characteristics and attributes such as sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical features, religious beliefs or activities, disability/impairment to name a few.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is unwelcome behaviour of a sexual nature that makes us feel offended, intimidated or humiliated. It can be physical, verbal or written. Sexual harassment is against the law.

Racial and Religious Vilification

Racial and religious vilification is verbal or physical abuse, intimidation, and expressions of hatred or serious contempt against a person or a group of people because of their race or religion. Racial and religious vilification is against the law.

The Right to Equal Opportunity

In many cases, unfair treatment and harassment because of personal characteristics is against the law. But it’s important to not just rely on the law to get people to treat each other equally.

The right to equal opportunity is considered to be one of the basic human rights. Equal Opportunity is concerned with ensuring that everyone has equal access to, and opportunity to participate in, all areas of public life such as accommodation, education, employment and access to goods and services.

Change starts with you

As an individual you can make choices to help everyone feel safe too. Perhaps you can talk to somebody at school who is usually left out, or make a personal commitment to respect another person’s differences.

Imagine what it would be like to live in a world where we are all respected for our differences and not judged or treated unfairly because of who we are.