But there are some situations where abuse can be hard to report, or hard to face up to – and even harder to stamp out completely.

Abuse in the home is one such situation. Abuse in the schoolyard is another.

Monday’s edition of The Courier uncovers some of the shocking incidents referred by schools in the Ballarat area to the education department’s Emergency and Security Management Unit over the past four years.

They include incidents of violence, bullying, threats and sexual assault.

It’s a sobering reminder of the fact that sometimes our children have to deal with adult issues before they are ready to, in a place where they should feel safe.

Most adults are probably not quite sure how they would deal with a sudden and violent confrontation. Imagine how hard it would be for a 12-year-old.

School bullying takes its toll on everyone involved, from the children, to parents, teachers and friends – and its consequences can last a lifetime.

The Courier is contacted regularly by distressed parents who don’t know how to protect their children while they’re at school and are desperate for any help they can get.

Based on these conversations, we can say with confidence that much more needs to be done to give children, parents and teachers the resources needed to tackle the problem and provide support for one another.

In Monday’s paper, carer Lynne Blackmore has called for anti-bullying education to be better incorporated into the school curriculum. Her concerns should be taken seriously.

However, on its own, that may not be enough. 

Also required is better support for teachers who have to interact with extremely distressed parents, and for parents who have to talk to their children about a sensitive issue which they themselves may not have experienced.

Making the schoolyard a safe and nurturing environment for our children should be a priority on everyone’s mind.