Abusive parents in South Australia to face harsher punishments

South Australian parents could be subject to harsh punishments if they abuse teachers or principals.

Transcript

00:00 The state government is considering a number of changes to try and reduce the antisocial

00:07 behaviour amongst school parents and caregivers.

00:10 Some of the considerations are increasing the maximum barring period for parents or

00:15 caregivers who are considered to be harassing or abusive.

00:20 That also includes for repeat offenders.

00:23 Currently the maximum barring period is three months.

00:27 They also want to reduce the scope of people to appeal barring notices except for in exceptional

00:35 circumstances.

00:37 Extending the range of behaviours where barring notices can be issued is also being considered.

00:44 That also does include online or social media abuse or harassment.

00:50 They also want to extend protections for school staff for when they're not on site.

00:58 That does include school camps and school excursions.

01:04 That antisocial behaviour has increased significantly over the last three years.

01:09 The number of warning notices issued over the last three years has increased by 130%.

01:15 There were 175 issued this year. That is compared with 55 in 2020.

01:24 And the number of barring notices issued over the last three years, that has increased even

01:30 more up to 100%.

01:32 There were 113 issued this year. That is compared with 38 in 2020.

01:39 [BLANK_AUDIO]