Evidence-based
Curriculum-aligned
Australia-wide
Ages 7 to Young Adult
Evidence-based
Curriculum-aligned
Australia-wide
K–12+
1 in 3 students admit they like watching fights at school
Violence in schools isn’t new, but it’s on the rise. We’re working with over 400 schools nationwide to help young people make wiser choices and prevent violence before it starts.
What we do
We empower young people to make safer choices
Our Education Program creates measurable change
Helping young students act kindly, stay safe and make wise choices
Supporting student wellbeing by building social and emotional skills early through storytelling and age-appropriate activities.
Learn more →Helping young people to choose safer paths
Led by expert facilitators using real stories, including Pat’s, the Be Wise Program helps secondary students recognise risk, regulate emotion and take responsibility for their choices.
Learn more →39%
of students changed their attitude to violence after hearing Pat’s story.
Empowering Players and Building Respect Through Sport
Our Play Wise Live Wise Presentation shares Pat’s story and demonstrates to players, coaches, parents and communities how to create safer, more supportive environments in sport and beyond.
Learn more →Build a culture based on safety and respect
Learn more →Equip Students with Life Skills That Prevent Violence
Learn more →What teachers and students are saying…
It just shows you people don’t think bad things can happen and it just ruins their life.
VIC
Beau
Student
Hopefully everyone will realise that it’s not OK to do something like this and there’s always a better option.
NT
Amelia
Student
I would definitely recommend this presentation. It was eye-opening!
WA
Steven
Student
It shows that such small actions can have such large consequences.
SA
Adrian
Student
A friend of mine told me about this presentation and that’s why we wanted to get onboard with it
ACT
Michelle
Teacher
Book the program. Put them all through it. It’s such a powerful and meaningful learning experience.
QLD
Tim
Teacher
It’s so important because you realise it could happen to anyone.
NSW
Haley
Student
Alan had our students engaged from the minute he started sharing the emotional story of Pat and his family.
VIC
Danielle
Teacher
“Alan had our students engaged from the minute he started sharing the emotional story of Pat and his family.
This presentation is something all secondary students should experience.”
Danielle Harry (Teacher, Victoria)
GET INVOLVED
Help young people make wiser choices
Every contribution helps us turn Pat’s story into action — from school programs to events that inspire safer communities. There are lots of ways to get involved.
Resources for change
Insights to guide and inspire
‘Every day, my kids come home from school with stories that break my heart’
How the Be Wise Ball is helping end violence and how your business can help
What every parent should know about bullying
What happens when you grow up learning violence is the way to handle conflict?
Nightclub brawls – common triggers and how to avoid them
The secret to defusing arguments? Try this simple technique!
Does walking away from a fight make you weak?
How do we stem the rise of classroom violence?
Kids’ sports crisis: The rise of sideline abuse
Shattered lives: The surprising damage of a single punch
Common Questions
A coward punch is a strike to the head or neck that is unprovoked and delivered without warning, often delivered from behind. It often knocks the victim unconscious, with further risk of head trauma when hitting the ground.
Laws in states across Australia uphold the criminal offence of unlawful striking causing death. This has colloquially been referred to as the Coward Punch Law. Each state’s laws specify the definition and conditions of this criminal offence.
Interpreting the Crimes Act and trying to state the law is tricky business. The following links might help you in your own research but it is in no way legal advice. Please seek legal advice from a qualified person.
The Victorian law now stipulates that all cases of manslaughter by unlawful and dangerous act involving a single punch or a strike delivered to the victim’s head or neck, which causes injury to the head or neck, automatically constitutes a dangerous act. Section 4A, Crimes Act 1958 (Vic)
As stated by the Parliament of Victoria, “The provisions clarify that a punch may be covered by the new section even if it is part of a series of punches, and the death may be caused by the punch even if the death was the result of an injury from another impact caused by the punch/strike” Read more here.
A mandatory minimum sentence is now required: “Circumstances of manslaughter by single punch or strike, or manslaughter in circumstances of gross violence, arise a custodial sentence with a non-parole period of ten years must be imposed” Read more here.
A King Hit is the same form of attack as a Coward Punch – a strike to the head or neck, often delivered from behind, usually unprovoked and without warning.
The term King Hit has been replaced with the term Coward Punch to reflect the shame a perpetrator should feel.
This stigmatises rather than glorifies the act. Altering our language contributes to changing the culture: it aims to deter people from engaging in this type of violence because they will be labelled a coward.
A One Punch Death describes the tragic outcome of when a person is fatally attacked with a Coward Punch and dies from the injuries sustained during the attack.
Our mission is to End the Coward Punch through social violence prevention education, by delivering programs for young Australians that promote positive behaviours. The Pat Cronin Foundation raises awareness about senseless social violence that fuels one-punch attacks.
Pat Cronin was having a few quiet drinks after his first Seniors football match. When a brawl started to build at the pub, being a loyal and caring mate, Pat stepped in to pull a friend away. That was when Pat was coward punched in the head from behind. Read more.
Violence is never the answer. Learn why through our Education Programs and our Resources.
Inspire your students to make wiser choices and see the impact of their actions. Discover how our programs fit your curriculum.
FREE TEACHERS’ RESOURCE
5 step guide for discussing conflict, emotions and violence with high school students
This easy five step guide will help you prepare a powerful lesson for your high school class and will support you to confidently lead difficult conversations with students.
